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- This page, Request a vanity license plate, is offered by
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
Request a vanity license plate
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Registry of Motor Vehicles
Online
The Details of Request a vanity license plate
What you need for Request a vanity license plate
All vanity plates must begin with 2 letters. The plate can be no more than 6 characters, or a maximum of 5 characters for motorcycle plates. Vanity plates cannot have letters and numbers intermixed. See the More Info section for detailed plate criteria.
If you do not already have a vehicle registered with active plates, you will need to apply for vanity plates at an RMV Service Center so a temporary plate can be issued.
How to request Request a vanity license plate
Bring your completed application and payment for the required fee to an RMV Service Center.
Most service centers accept cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. Since payment methods vary by location, check which are accepted at the site you will be visiting.
Mail your completed application and check or money order payable to MassDOT to:
Registry of Motor Vehicles
P.O Box 55895
Boston, MA 02205-5895
Attn: Special Plates
The quickest and easiest way to order a vanity plate is online.
Next steps for Request a vanity license plate
Next steps
All vanity plate applications are reviewed by the Special Plates Department. If approved, you will receive a plate and registration in the mail within 12 weeks. If denied, you will receive notification and a rebate within 4 - 6 weeks.
More info for Request a vanity license plate
Vanity Plate Requirements:
- All vanity plates must start with at least two letters.
- Passenger, Camper, Livery, Bus, and Commercial vanity plates may contain a maximum of 6 characters (letters or numbers) and a minimum of 2 characters. Vanity plates for antique vehicles may contain a maximum of 4 characters and a minimum of 2 characters. Motorcycle vanity plates may contain a maximum of 5 characters and a minimum of 2 characters.
- Numbers cannot be used in the middle of a plate; they must come at the end. For example, AAA222 would be an acceptable Passenger vanity plate; AAA22A would not be acceptable. The first number used cannot be a "0."
- The letters "I," "O," "Q," and "U" can ONLY be used as part of a word that is clearly defined and correctly spelled. For example, "LQQK" would not be an acceptable registration number because it is not a correctly spelled word.
- No periods, spaces, or punctuation marks are allowed.
- Letter and/or number combinations that convey an offensive message or appear to duplicate an existing registration plate are not permitted.
Plate Criteria
- Does not comply with the following readability standards as set forth by the Registrar:
- All vanity plates must start with at least two letters.
- Passenger, Camper, Livery, Bus, and Commercial vanity plates may contain a maximum of six characters (letters or numbers) and a minimum of two characters. Vanity plates for antique vehicles may contain a maximum of four characters and a minimum of two characters. Motorcycle vanity plates may contain a maximum of five characters and a minimum of two characters.
- Numbers cannot be used in the middle of a plate; they must come at the end. For example, AAA222 would be an acceptable Passenger vanity plate; AAA22A would not be acceptable. The first number used cannot be a “0.”
- The letters “I,” “O,” “Q,” and “U” can ONLY be used as part of a word that is clearly defined and correctly spelled. For example, “LQQK” would not be an acceptable registration number because it is not a correctly spelled word.
- No periods, spaces, or punctuation marks are allowed.
- Is duplicative of a registration already issued.
- Is or implies a vulgarity or profanity including a swear or curse word, or scatological term, not usually displayed in the community for general viewing.
- Is obscene or otherwise contains material of sexual suggestiveness in that it refers explicitly or by euphemism to a sexual body part, a sex act, or the availability for sex; and/or
- Is an expression of “fighting words” that the RMV reasonably foresees would imminently incite or provoke violence or other immediate breach of peace.