Issuance of new standard or specialty license plates for a vehicle. Specialty plates (military, charity, vanity) have additional fees.
Who needs this: New vehicle owners, plate replacement after damage, anyone customizing with specialty plates.
Last updated · Methodology
Wyoming offers the cheapest new license plate at $14.00. The national average across 51 states is $20.63.
New York has the highest fee for new license plate at $32.00. This is roughly 129% higher than the cheapest state.
0 of 51 US states (and DC) currently allow new license plate to be completed online without visiting a DMV office in person. Eligibility usually depends on whether your existing license is current and whether you need a REAL ID upgrade.
10 of 51 states require an appointment for new license plate. The remaining states accept walk-ins, though booking an appointment is still recommended at busy urban offices.
New vehicle owners, plate replacement after damage, anyone customizing with specialty plates.
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⚠️ Fees shown are from 2025 data.
DMVPeek aggregates new license plate data from state motor vehicle department websites. Fees and requirements are subject to change — always verify with your state DMV before applying. DMVPeek is an independent information resource.