Search our database: Custom California license plates applications denied by DMV
Ever noticed a clever custom license plate while traveling California roads?
For every interesting license plate you’ve come across, there are numerous others that were rejected and will never see the light of day — except for in this searchable database created by the Sacramento Bee with data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
How many custom license plates did California reject and why?
The state Department of Motor Vehicles rejected 12,811 custom license plates between summer 2024 through September 2025.
Reasons range from the configurations conveying sexual, hateful, or otherwise inappropriate messages — all of which violate the DMV’s license plate rules.
The most common reason was because the requested configurations resembled existing custom license plates too closely.
How can I get a custom license plate in California? How much does it cost?
You can order personalized license plates online through the DMV. You must accept the DMV’s terms and rules, including:
- No vulgar terms or terms “of prejudice or hostility.”
- No swear words or terms “considered profane or obscene.”
- No misrepresenting a law enforcement entity.
- No configurations that have been deleted from “regular series license plates.”
- No foreign or slang words or terms, or phonetic spellings or mirror images of words or terms that fall into any of the previous categories.
Additionally, “the number ‘69’ is reserved only for 1969 year model vehicles that the license plate will be placed upon.”
How much the personalized plates cost depends on which cause you choose, though most are $103 initially and $83 to renew. Some causes, such as environmental plates, Kids plates and California 1960s Legacy plates are about $50 with a $40 annual renewal fee. Veterans’ Organization plates are $78 initially with a $40 annual renewal fee.
“Revenue generated from the sale and renewal of these license plates helps fund environmental and special programs,” according to the DMV’s website.
How do I make sure my custom plate isn’t rejected?
As long as you agree to the DMV’s terms and your personalized message doesn’t violate the rules or resemble an existing plate too closely, you should be in the clear.
Browse through the rejected plates to see the types of configurations that were rejected.
