There are several different types of license plates, from those that bestow special parking privileges, such as plates and placards for disabled drivers, to "vanity" plates that allow you to express your unique personality to all who have the pleasure of being stuck behind you in traffic. So, if you're a GR8MOM, or you want everyone on the road to be CRZY4U, you'll want to pay attention.

Top Vanity Plates

Connecticut’s DMV currently allows you to search only for passenger plates online. It hopes, in the future, to expand this online search to also include all other categories. In the interim you must submit a vanity plate request by mail for motorcycles, commercial vehicles, combinations, campers, and camper trailers.

• Vanity plates are available in the following registration types: passenger, combination, commercial, motorcycle, camper, and camper trailer. The same plate number can be issued in each of the registration types.

• You may only apply for vanity plates in the same registration type that is currently on your vehicle.

• You may have 1-6 letters, with a dot between letters, 1-6 numbers, with a dot between numbers, or various combinations of letters and numbers.

• Make sure your vehicle is already registered and in the Connecticut DMV database.

• Complete an application.

• Send your application and $90 to:
  • Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Vanity Plate Unit
  • 60 State St.
  • Wethersfield, CT 06161

Top Disabled Plates and Placards

Anyone certified by a doctor as having a specific disability that inhibits walking may apply for a temporary or permanent disabled license plate or placard, depending on the nature of the disability. A disabled license plate can be issued to a disabled driver, or to that person's parent, guardian, or spouse. A disabled placard can be issued to any disabled person and can be transferred among vehicles, as needed.

Top Antique Plates

Your vehicle must be at least 25 years old to qualify for an Early American antique plate.

To apply for the plate, send a completed application and payment for the $92 fee to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• Special Plate Unit

• 60 State St.

• Wethersfield, CT 06161

You'll have a variety of options to personalize your plate with numbers and/or letters.

Antique vehicle owners may also opt to display the type of plate that was issued in the year the vehicle was manufactured. The original plate must be Connecticut-issued, however, and the vehicle must already have the Early American antique plates.

To apply for permission to display the plates, complete an Application to Display Year of Original Manufacture Marker Plates form. The form isn't available online, so pick one up at a DMV full-service office, or call to have one mailed to you. It's free to request permission to display the plates.

If the application is approved, be sure to keep your Early American antique plates registration current. Also, store those plates, their registration form, and your permission acceptance form inside the vehicle.

Top Special Plates

Connecticut has a variety of special license plates available that allow drivers to show their allegiances and help publicize their favorite charities at the same time. These include the following:

• AIDS Residence Coalition

• Amateur Radio Call Letter Plate

• Amistad

• Animal Population Control

• Beardsley Zoo

• Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks

• Blue Knights International

• Breast Cancer Foundation

• Candlewood Lake Authority

• Central Connecticut State University

• City of Meriden

• City of Norwich

• Conserve Wildlife (Bobcat)

• Conserve Wildlife (Eagle)

• Cure Kids Cancer

• Disabled American Veterans

• Ducks Unlimited

• Early American Antique

• The Federated Garden Club

• Ferrari Club of America

• Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation

• Firefighters of Connecticut

• First Company Governor's Foot Guard

• First Company Governor's Horse Guard

• Flag-Style Veteran

• Fraternal Order of Connecticut Police

• Grand Lodge of Connecticut

• Greater Hartford Chapter of the 82nd Airborne

• Greenways

• IUOE Local 478

• Iwo Jima Survivor

• Keep Kids Safe

• Knights of Columbus

• Korean War Veterans Association

• Laos Veterans of America

• Lions Eye Research Foundation

• Long Island Sound

• Marine Corps League Inc.

• Military Order of Purple Hearts

• National Guard (Active)

• National Guard Association of Connecticut (Retired)

• New England Air Museum

• Olympic Spirit

• Operation Lifesaver

• Preserving our Past/Connecticut Trust

• P.T. Barnum Foundation

• Pearl Harbor Survivors Association

• Penn State Alumni Association

• Police Commissioners Association

• Police Memorial

• Second Company Governor's Foot Guard

• Special Olympics

• Town of Stafford

• University of Connecticut

• University of Connecticut NCAA Championship

• Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association

• United We Stand

• University of Hartford Alumni Association

• US Submarine Veterans

• USS Connecticut Commissioning Committee

• Veteran Motorcycle Plate

• Year of Manufacture

Top Surrendering Your Plates?

You must surrender your Connecticut license plates after relocating to another state. Otherwise, your vehicle will still be slapped with a property tax assessment. You can either return your plates to any DMV office or mail to:

• DMV

• Attn: Plate Return

• 60 State Street

• Wethersfield, Connecticut 06161

Be sure to include a written request to cancel your registration. For proof, ask for a cancellation receipt.

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