vehicle registration

University of Iowa

Notice

If you currently have a personalized plate and would like to switch your personalized message from that plate to a new plate design you will need to complete the mail in form as we currently cannot complete this process online. On the mail-in form, enter your current plate number/message in the space provided in Section A of the form and then re-enter the same information in Section B.

Eligible vehicles Automobiles
Multipurpose vehicles
Sport utility vehicles
Vans 		Trucks
Motor homes
Trailers and travel trailers
Numbered plate fee
  • $50 ($25 for plate + $25 to the university)
  • $5 annual validation fee at the time of renewal
  • Annual registration fee
Plates (including personalized plates) may be purchased as a gift. Gift certificates will be mailed to the purchaser.
Personalized plate fee
  • $50 ($25 for personalized plate + $25 to the university)
  • $5 annual validation fee at the time of renewal
  • Annual registration 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

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

-OR-

Complete the Special Plate Application form, print and mail with the fees that are due.

Vehicle & Motor Carrier Services
Iowa Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 9278
Des Moines, Iowa  50306-9278

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. 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