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Iowa

    The Iowa Department of Transportation oversees the distribution and issuance of personalized and customized vanity license plates. Iowa does not allow you to determine if your specific lettering on the license plate is available online. However, personalized license plates in Iowa can be ordered by completing one of these forms . License plates can only be ordered by a registered owner and the plate you order must be registered to an Iowa vehicle at the time of issuance.
  • Types of Vehicles: The Iowa Department of Transportation allows personalized license plates on motor vehicles, travel trailers, and trailers, including commercial trucks and trailers.
  • Fee: The fee for a personalized license plate in Iowa is $25 in addition to the regular renewal fee. For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Transportation.
  • Number of Characters: In Iowa, they allow a maximum of 7 characters for all plates except motorcycles which can have 6 characters. You can use any combination of Letters A to Z, Spaces and Numbers 0 to 9 .
  • Limitations: Personalized vanity license plates in Iowa are subject to approval by the Iowa Department of Transportation. The website also states that the following are not allowed:
    • Numbers only.
    • A plate that denotes a governmental agencies.
    • Sexual in connotation; a term of vulgarity, contempt, prejudice, hostility, insult, or racial or ethnic degradation; recognized as a swear word.
    • a reference to an illegal substance or to a criminal act; offensive or a foreign word falling into any of these categories; or those that conflict with the regular license numbering system..
  • Is My Plate Available?: Iowa does not allow you to determine if your plate is available online.
Iowa Department of Transportation
Office of Vehicle Services
PO Box 9278
Des Moines, IA 50306-9278
  • Additional Information: For more information on obtaining a personalized vanity license plate in Iowa, visit the Iowa Personalized Plates website, go to Office of Vehicle Services or call 1-515-237-3110.

    This Site is not owned or operated by, nor affiliated with any governmental organization. This Site contains general information with respect to personalized license plates at the department of motor vehicles in various states. It is for informational and educational purposes only. You should check with the specific state that your motor vehicle is registered in before ordering.