KNOW WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? TRY OUR A-Z INDEX

Vehicles

Blackout plate

*Please note there are different requirements depending upon plate choice. Be sure to review the specific information for each plate (motorcycle or small plates cannot have more than six letters/characters).

Eligible vehicles Automobiles
Multipurpose vehicles
Sport utility vehicles
Vans 		Motorcycles
Trucks
Motor homes
Trailers and travel trailers
Numbered plates
  • $35 initial fee to the Road Use Tax Fund for the Blackout Plate fee
  • $10 annual renewal fee
  • Annual registration renewal fee 
Personalized plates
  • $60 initial fee ($25 plate fee + $35 for Blackout Plate fee)
  • $15 annual renewal fee ($5 validation fee + $10 for the Blackout Plate fee) 
  • Annual registration renewal fee (paid to county treasurer)

Personalized license plates may consist of up to seven characters and numbers. All personalized plate choices must have at least two characters.

  • No punctuation marks are allowed.
  • No denoting a government agency (i.e., DOT).
  • No display of characters that are sexual in connotation.
  • No characters suggesting profane, obscene or inflammatory words or phrases, or those contrary to public policy.
  • No characters or words defined in dictionaries as a term of vulgarity, contempt, prejudice, hostility, insult, or racial or ethnic degradation.
  • No characters considered to be offensive.
  • No characters that conflict with the regular license numbering system.
  • Recognized as a swear word.
  • Reference to an illegal substance or criminal act.
  • Any foreign word falling in any of these categories.
  • Cannot be all numbers.
How to apply

Random-numbered plates

Random-numbered plates are available at your local county treasurer's office.


Personlized Plates

Order personalized plates online (You will need an Iowa Driver's license or ID and a credit card to complete the transaction.)

Your plates will be sent to your county treasurer's office and staff will notify you when your plates are available. Typical processing time is 3-6 weeks. Check the status of your plate order. Plates must be assigned to a vehicle within 90 days or the plates will be voided and no refund issued. Your current plates must be exchanged for your new plates.

For questions

Telephone: 515-237-3110
E-mail:  dot.plates@iowadot.us

NOT FINDING WHAT YOU NEED? WE CAN HELP.

Login  |  ©  Iowa Department of Transportation.  All rights reserved.