Have you ever gotten behind a vehicle at a traffic light and wondered where the driver got his awesome license plate? Has it made you wonder what the people behind you must be thinking about your plain old license plate?

Luckily, Louisiana offers you the opportunity to spice up the back of your vehicle with a personalized or specialty license plate!

Top Personalized License Plates

By using the Louisiana Personalized Plate Inquiry Web page, you can find information about ordering personalized plates for your vehicle and check if the message you want is available.

To request personalized license plates, you must already have a vehicle registered in Louisiana. Your personalized plate choice can include seven spaces combining the following:

• Letters A-Z (must use at least two)

• Numbers 0-9

• Periods

• Hyphens

• Spaces (half or whole)

Note that both periods and hyphens count as one space. Using a whole space acts just as using a number, letter, period, or hyphen.

Personalized plates for motorcycles and disabled drivers can only include six letters and numbers.

You won't be allowed to duplicate an existing personalized plate. Profane or derogatory combinations, special characters, or patented logos are also prohibited.

Fees

Personalized plates cost $25 annually. You'll also be charged an $8 handling fee and one-time $3 fee for administrative services.

All regular registration fees still apply.

Requests

If the personalized plate you want is available, just complete the Request for Personalized License Plate and mail it along with the appropriate fees to:

• Office of Motor Vehicles

• Attention: Special Plate and Title Unit

• P.O. Box 64886

• Baton Rouge, LA 70896-4886

Top Specialty License Plates

While specialty license plates are available in Louisiana, they can only be purchased at certain Office of Motor Vehicle (OMV) locations.

Louisiana offers various kinds of specialty plates, including military and collegiate plates. Visit the Louisiana Special Plate Inquiry Web page to search for the specialty plate you want online.

You'll need to submit your license plate number before you can browse the specialty plates. Once you find the one you want, you'll be provided with eligibility details and your particular fee.

You must complete the online application and mail it, along with a check for the designated fee and any required documents, to:

• Office of Motor Vehicles

• Attention: Special Plate and Title Unit

• P.O. Box 64886

• Baton Rouge, LA 70896-4886

Just as with personalized plates, you must have a vehicle registered in Louisiana in order to purchase a specialty plate.

Top Antique Plates

A vehicle must be at least 25 years old to qualify for antique plates. Also, the vehicle must be maintained in its original condition, without significant changes to the manufacturer's specifications.

Applications for antique plates must contain a recent color photograph of the vehicle, along with notarized form DPSMV 1911. Or, if you belong to an antique car organization, you can submit a photocopy of your membership card instead of the completed form.

Initial application requests must be made through the mail at:

• Office of Motor Vehicles

• Specialized Plate & Title Unit

• P.O. Box 64886

• Baton Rouge, LA 70896-4886

While the plates don't need to be renewed, you will have to pay a $25 plate fee, along with $11.50 in miscellaneous fees. You can personalize the plates for an extra $25.

Street Rod Plates

These plates are for vehicles made before 1948 that have undergone changes to their original specifications.

The plates cost the same as antique plates, and you apply for them in the same manner.

See the state's page on street rod plates for additional information.

Top Remember

Your old license plate is cancelled once your new one is issued. While you don't have to return it to the OMV, it is recommended that you destroy it.

If you have any questions regarding personalized or specialty license plates, ordering procedures, or fees, contact the Special Plate and Title Unit at (225)925-6381 or toll free at 1-877-DMV-LINE.

Top Surrendering License Plates After Moving to a New State

To properly cancel your registration the DMV does require you to return your plates. You can either do this by mail or by delivering in person to any DMV office.

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