District of Columbia Vanity Plate Rules & Restrictions
Everything you need to know about what's allowed (and what's not) on District of Columbiapersonalized license plates.
District of Columbia Plate Requirements at a Glance
Maximum Characters
7
Minimum Characters
2
Allowed Characters
Letters, numbers, and spaces
District of Columbia Specific Rules
- Maximum 7 characters including spaces
- Letters, numbers, and spaces allowed
- $100 initial fee
- $100 annual renewal fee
- Subject to DC DMV approval
- Cannot duplicate existing plates
- Political statements allowed if not obscene
- All plates include "Taxation Without Representation"
What Will Get Your Application Rejected
DC DMV reviews all vanity plate applications. Here's what will definitely get rejected:
District of Columbia Prohibited Content
- Profane or vulgar language
- Obscene content
- Racial slurs or hate speech
- Drug references
- Gang-related terminology
- False government affiliation
Tips to Get Your Plate Approved
Keep it simple and clear
Plates that are easy to read are more likely to be approved.
Avoid creative spellings of banned words
Reviewers know all the tricks. "A55" isn't fooling anyone.
Have backup options ready
Your first choice might be taken. Prepare 2-3 alternatives.
Check availability first
Use our checker to verify your plate is available before applying.
What If My Application Is Rejected?
If DC DMV rejects your application, you typically can:
- 1.Submit a different plate combination at no additional fee
- 2.Request a refund of your application fee
- 3.In some cases, appeal the decision with an explanation
Contact DC DMV directly for their specific appeal process.
Ready to Check Your Plate?
Make sure your dream plate is available in District of Columbia before applying.
Check Availability Now