A personalized license plate is one of the best ways to add personality to your vehicle. With a personalized license plate, you can make your car uniquely you with a custom message at the front and back of the car. You can use this message to share a word or sentiment with the world, promote the name of your company, say the name of your child or spouse, or any number of other things.
In Vermont, you can get a special license plate design in addition to a personalized license plate message. Between the plate design and a personalized plate message, you can easily create a license plate that is perfect for you and your car.
Part 1 of 3: Pick a license plate design
Step 1: Visit the Vermont registrations web page. Go to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles registrations website.
Step 2: Choose a license plate design. Select the design that you would like for your personalized license plate.
Click on the link titled “Specialty plates” to view all of the available specialty plates.
Scroll through the options, and choose between a Building Bright Futures plate, and a Conservation plate. The Building Bright Futures plate has a character limit of five, while the Conservation plate has a character limit of six, and you can choose between a deer, trout, or loon plate.
If you prefer, you can personalize a standard plate, which allows you to have a character limit of seven. To view the standard plates, click the link titled “Vanity plates” from the registrations page.
- Tip: You can also select any of the other specialty plate designs, but you will not be able to add a personalized message to those plates.
Part 2 of 2: Pick a plate message and order your plates
Step 1: Download the application. Download and print the personalized plate forms.
Click on the application link under the specialty plate that you chose. If you chose a standard plate design, click on the link titled “application for the vanity (personalized) plate” on the vanity plates page.
Print the application.
- Tip: If you prefer, you can fill the form out on your computer, and then print it.
Step 2: Fill out your personal info. Fill out your personal information on the form.
Where instructed, write your name, address, email address, and driver license number.
- Warning: You must be the registered owner of the vehicle that you are getting personalized license plates for, and your driver license must be for the state of Vermont.
Step 3: Fill out your vehicle info. Fill out your vehicle information on the application.
Where instructed, list your vehicle’s year, make, and model, as well as the current license plate number, and the vehicle identification number.
- Tip: If you don’t know your vehicle identification number, you can find it on the driver side of your dashboard, where the dash meets the windshield. The number is easily viewed from outside the vehicle, through the windshield.
Step 4: Choose a plate message. Select up to three plate messages.
Write your desired plate message in the box titled, “First choice.”
Write two backup messages in the “Second choice” and “Third choice” areas. Adding backup choices greatly increases your chances of getting a personalized license plate.
If the application asks for it, write the meaning of your license plate message.
Tip: You cannot use any special characters on your license plate message, but you can use a space, which should be denoted with an asterisk symbol. Your plate message cannot begin with the letter “Z”, and the letter “O” will automatically be changed to the number “0.” If you don’t use spaces, the plate message will be centered on the plate.
Warning: Crude, offensive, and inappropriate license plate messages are not allowed.
Step 5: Sign the form. Sign and date the application.
Sign your name and mark the date, where prompted.
- Tip: Do not fill out any of the form beneath the signature. That part of the form is reserved for the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Step 6: Make a payment. Make a payment for the personalized plate fees.
Write a check or get a money order, made out to the Vermont DMV.
The price of the fee varies depending on the plate design you are getting. Read the instructions on your plate design to see how much the payment should be for.
- Tip: The personalized and specialized plate fees are in addition to your standard annual registration fees.
Step 7: Mail your application. Mail your application to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Place your application and payment in an envelope, and mail it to:
Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05603-0001
Part 3 of 3: Install your personalized license plates
Step 1: Get your plates. Receive your license plates in the mail.
After your application has been received, reviewed, and accepted, your plates will be manufactured and sent to you at the address that you provided on the application.
- Tip: It usually will take about 30 days for your plates to arrive.
Step 2: Install your plates. Install your new license plates.
As soon as you receive your personalized license plates, install them on both the front and back of your vehicle.
Tip: If you do not feel comfortable removing your old license plates or installing your new ones, you can call a mechanic to come help you with the job.
Warning: Make sure that you add current registration stickers to your license plates before driving your vehicle.
It takes only a short amount of time, and a small fee, to order personalized license plates for your Vermont vehicle. If you want a fun way to add personality to your car, this could be just what you’ve been looking for.
