Dmv Reg 17 Form – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Updated: Nov 9, 2026

The DMV Reg 17 form serves as a vital document for individuals in California seeking to purchase or manage Special Interest License Plates for their vehicles. This form allows for various transactions, including original purchase, replacement, reassignment, retention, or release of interest in these unique plates. Residents can customize their vehicle plates to show support for causes, organizations, or personal interests, making the DMV Reg 17 a key piece in personalizing the driving experience.

For those interested in applying for or managing their Special Interest License Plates, detailed instructions and the option to submit the application online are available. Click the button below to learn more about how to fill out the DMV Reg 17 form.

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Dmv Reg 17 Form PDF Details

The DMV Reg 17 form serves as a critical document for individuals in California seeking to express their personal interests, affiliations, or support for causes through their vehicle's license plates. Through a range of options including original issuance, replacement, retention, or exchange of specialized plates, the form encapsulates the diverse interests of the state's drivers. It caters to a wide array of special interests from environmental to veterans' organizations, collegiate affiliations, and more, allowing for a personalized approach to vehicle registration. Notably, the form emphasizes the ownership of these plates by the individual, rather than the vehicle, providing flexibility in reassigning plates to different vehicles, retaining them for future use, or releasing interest altogether. With detailed sections demanding careful selection of plate design, configuration, and an understanding of the state's regulations around offensive or inappropriate content, the form underscores the state's commitment to administering a program that reflects the values and diversity of its populace. Furthermore, in outlining procedures for replacement in cases of loss or theft, and indicating the significance of the plate's meaning with mandatory explanation sections, the DMV Reg 17 form balances personal expression with regulatory oversight, ensuring that the process of obtaining a special interest license plate is both accessible and respectful of broader community standards.

Question	Answer
Form Name	Dmv Reg 17 Form
Form Length	2 pages
Fillable?	No
Fillable fields	0
Avg. time to fill out	30 sec
Other names	ca dmv reg 17, reg 17 dmv, reg 17 california dmv form, dmv plate application

How to Fill Out REG 17

REG 17 at a glance

What it is: REG 17 is the Special Interest or Environmental License Plate (ELP) Application. DMV uses this information to process and issue special interest, environmental license plates, and/or special recognition license plate applications.

Where and when to file: You may mail this application with payment (check or money order, please do not send cash) to DMV SPU, Mail Station D238, P.O. Box 932345, Sacramento, CA 94232-3450.

A filled-in REG 17 example: sequential automobile plates

REG 17 example filled out, example: sequential automobile plates — Jane Ann Sample orders sequential plates for her car on REG 17. She checks Original, Automobile, Sequential (Non-Personalized) and DMV Office, so Sections 3 and 4 stay empty. The picture shows it filled in, and none of its entries is real. The Personalized and Kids boxes stay empty because the plates are sequential. She is also the plate holder, so she checks Same as License Plate Holder and the holder lines stay empty. The plate type boxes of Section 1 share one field name in the fillable form, so the example leaves them empty. The Signature line has no field in the fillable form, so it is left blank.

How to fill out REG 17, box by box

Original, Replacement, Reassign, Retain, Release or Exchange

ORIGINAL: Complete Sections 1, 2, 5, 6.

REPLACEMENT: Complete Sections 1, 3, 5, 6.

REASSIGN, RETAIN, RELEASE: Complete Sections 1, 4, 5, 6.

EXCHANGE (for ELPs): Complete Sections 1, 2, 5, 6.

Section 1, License Plate Selection

In Section 1, License Plate Selection, check one. For special recognition license plates use REG 17A.

Breast Cancer Awareness, California Arts Council, California Agricultural (CalAg), California Memorial, California Museums (Snoopy), Collegiate (only UCLA is available), Kids - (Child Health and Safety Funds) (SYMBOLS: HEART, STAR, HAND OR PLUS SIGN) and Pet Lovers: License Plates allowed 2-6 Characters (Motorcycles 2-5).

Environmental License Plate (ELP) (BASIC PERSONALIZED PLATE), California Coastal Commission (Whale Tail), California Lake Tahoe Conservancy, Yosemite Foundation and California 1960s Legacy (6 character sequential, 2-7 characters for ELP): License Plates allowed 2-7 Characters (Motorcycles 2-5, except ELP and California 1960s Legacy: 2-7).

List of Logos can be found at https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/License-Plates.aspx . Veterans' Organization: (PROVIDE ORGANIZATIONAL CODE OF DECAL).

“Honoring Veterans” License Plate Duplicate Decal: enter the (CURRENT LICENSE PLATE NUMBER).

Section 2, Select Configuration

In Section 2, Select Configuration, license plates will be assigned to: Automobile, Commercial, Trailer or Motorcycle. Select motorcycle license plates will be issued a special interest decal on the left.

Sequential (Non-Personalized): Issued in number sequence. Your existing sequential license plate number cannot be re-issued. You must submit a copy of your current registration card.

Enter the CURRENT LICENSE PLATE NUMBER and the FULL VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (REQUIRED).

Personalized: The department shall refuse any configuration that does not comply with 13 CCR 206.02.

SEE PAGE 2 FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON ENTERING THE CONFIGURATION IN THE BOXES BELOW. Slash (/) indicates 1/2 space - Asterisk (*) indicates full space.

Do not substitute letters for numbers or numbers for letters.

Enter the First Choice, Second Choice and Third Choice. 8th box shown only to allow for spacing.

If you do NOT want the plates centered, check this box. KIDS LICENSE PLATE: Circle choice of symbol.

Special Instructions for KIDS license plates: Circle the desired symbol, then place a check in the box to indicate the desired location of the symbol.

When ready for pick up, your new license plates must be assigned to a vehicle currently registered in California (cannot be on Planned Non-Operation status). Check the DMV OFFICE or AUTO CLUB (must be a member) box and enter location of office where your current license plates and registration card will be exchanged for your new license plates: LOCATION (city).

Section 3, Replacement

In Section 3, Replacement [California Vehicle Code (CVC) 4458], enter the SPECIAL INTEREST LICENSE PLATE NUMBER. If BOTH license plates were lost or stolen, the same configuration cannot be reissued on any license plate type.

I NEED: One License Plate or Two License Plates. LICENSE PLATE(S) WERE: Lost, Mutilated or Stolen.

Section 4, Reassign, Retain, or Release

In Section 4, Reassign, Retain, or Release, enter the SPECIAL INTEREST LICENSE PLATE NUMBER and the REMOVED FROM (VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER).

Check one: retain interest for future use, release interest/surrender to DMV or release interest to new owner.

Check REASSIGN and enter PLACED ON (CURRENT LICENSE PLATE) and PLACED ON (VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER).

Section 5, Purchaser

In Section 5, Purchaser, check Same as License Plate Holder, or enter the HOLDER (If different from License Plate Purchaser, i.e. gift or release).

Enter the TRUE FULL NAME (LAST, FIRST, MIDDLE INITIAL, SUFFIX), STREET ADDRESS OR PO BOX, CITY, STATE and ZIP CODE.

Section 6, Signature

Section 6, Signature: by signing you certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

Sign on the SIGNATURE line and enter the DATE and TELEPHONE NUMBER. EMAIL ADDRESS (OPTIONAL).

More rules for REG 17

The department will not honor a change of license plate selection or letter/number configuration, or a request for refund after this application is submitted. Special Interest License Plates belong to the license plate owner, not the vehicle. When selling your vehicle, you may: 1) remove the license plates and reassign the license plates to another vehicle immediately; 2) retain for future use on another vehicle; or 3) surrender them to the department. You may be subject to annual retention fees if you do not immediately place the license plates on another vehicle.

Fees for special license plates can be located at dmv.ca.gov, Special Interest License Plates Fees.

Submission is mandatory for each information item on this form.

Failure to provide mandatory information may result in rejection of application.

Questions about this form should be directed to DMV's Customer Service Center at 1-800-777-0133.

Common questions about REG 17

Where do I file it?

Apply and pay online at dmv.ca.gov, Special Interest and Personalized License Plate Orders.

Sources

[1] REG 17 (REV. 2/2025), Special Interest or Environmental License Plate (ELP) Application, California Department of Motor Vehicles (the Official source link on this page).