How Much Are License Plates In Connecticut?

In the state of Connecticut, license plate fees vary depending on the type of plates you choose. Standard license plates cost $5.

If you want customized plates, they’ll cost $94. Additional taxes and fees apply to both new and renewal registrations.

In Connecticut, vehicles are required to have both a rear and front license plate.

Every US state requires a rear license plate. Some states require a rear plate only, while other states require two license plates.

Here are the steps for getting new license plates from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

1. Get used vehicle insurance. Before you can register your car in Connecticut and get license plates, your car will need to be insured.
2. Complete a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection. This can be done at your local DMV office or through a licensed Connecticut dealer.
3. Gather required documents. You'll need to gather certain documents to register your vehicle and get license plates. Proof of ownership (such as a certificate of title or bill of sale), proof of insurance, and a completed registration application are all required.
4. Visit a DMV office. Once you've gathered all of your documents, you'll need to go to a DMV office to register your vehicle and get your license plates. Depending on the DMV location, you may need to make an appointment in advance.
5. Pay the applicable fees. In Connecticut, you must pay certain fees to register your vehicle and get license plates. These include a registration fee, a title fee, and any applicable sales tax.
6. Receive your license plates via mail. You'll receive your Connecticut license plates once you've completed the registration process and paid the fees. You must attach your plates to your vehicle before driving on the road.

There are numerous types of license plates: passenger license plates, commercial vehicle plates, special license plates, trailer plates, and motorcycle plates.

License plates measure 6 by 12 inches and are rectangular (motorcycle license plates are smaller, measuring 4 by 7 inches).

The Connecticut license plate has seven characters (across the 50 states, license plates have anywhere from six to eight characters).

Standard Connecticut license plates cost $5.

A standard Connecticut license plate can be put on passenger cars, commercial cars, and motorcycles. Permanent trailers, trailer coaches, and park trailers require different license plates.

Standard license plates are issued in any of the following scenarios:

If you're feeling fancy and want to make your ride truly your own, Connecticut allows you to personalize your plate. Of course, personalizing your plates costs more—$94, to be precise. To apply for personalized plates (also known as vanity license plates), you can do it in person at your local CT DMV or by mailing the special order plate application form to the following address:

Department of Motor Vehicles

Customized Plates Unit

60 State Street

Wethersfield, CT 06161

Connecticut has a few rules and restrictions for vanity plate customization. First off, you're limited to just six characters (think of it as a mini Twitter bio for your car). And while you can mix and match letters and numbers to your heart's content, you won't be able to add any punctuation or special characters to the mix (sorry, no hashtags here). Of course, anything offensive or inappropriate is off-limits. Also, your personalized plate can't make any references to illegal activities or substances (we don't want any trouble with the law). Finally, be sure to pick something unique—no copycatting allowed!

The Connecticut DMV will review and approve your custom license plate application after you submit it. If your application does not follow the guidelines or if the combination of characters is already in use, the DMV will probably reject it.

Like most states, Connecticut lets you show your support for different groups or causes by getting a special license plate. Whether you're passionate about environmental conservation, animal welfare, or supporting our troops, there's a plate for you. A portion of the proceeds from many of these plates goes towards funding related programs and initiatives.

The price of Connecticut specialty license plates varies from $50 to $70, depending on the organization you choose.

Here are the types of special interest license plates Connecticut has to offer:

Animal plates

Environmental plates

Military and veteran style plates

College plates

City and Town plates

Organization Plates

Recreational Style Plates

Plates for Organizations with Varied Interests

If you or someone you know has a disability that affects their mobility, Connecticut offers special disability license plates that can make life a little easier. Not only do these plates help identify vehicles that need extra accessibility features, but they can also give people with disabilities access to parking spots that are set aside just for them.

Disability plates in Connecticut cost $5. Individuals with disabilities in Connecticut have two options for getting parking accommodations:


To get a placard or a license plate, you must have a qualifying disability or condition that limits your mobility. You need to submit the following:

In the state of Connecticut, titling and registration are done at the same time. When purchasing a used car, you will need to provide your local CT DMV office with the following:

See our guide to transferring a Connecticut car title for more information on the process.

Registration in Connecticut costs $120. To apply for a Connecticut license plate, you must have a valid Connecticut car registration card from the Connecticut DMV. To make things more efficient, title transfer and car registration are done simultaneously.

You will need to submit the following documents to your local DMV office:

Connecticut takes clean air seriously; all vehicles registered in the state are subject to emissions testing. These tests are done to make sure that your car meets state and federal emissions standards. This helps cut down on pollution and protect the environment.

You can order license plates in Connecticut by mail, online, or in person at a DMV office. Here are the steps for ordering license plates in Connecticut:

1. Choose the type of license plate you want. Connecticut license plates include standard plates, personalized plates, and specialty plates.
2. Make sure you have all of the necessary documentation. Proof of insurance, vehicle registration, and identification may be required.
3. Visit your local DMV office and bring all required documentation. It is possible that you will need to schedule an appointment ahead of time.

The fee to replace lost license plates ranges from $5 to $25, depending on your situation.

To get a replacement, you need to submit the following to the DMV:

Registering an out-of-state vehicle costs $120. To register a car after having moved to Connecticut, bring the following to your local Connecticut DMV office:


Read our guide to purchasing a vehicle remotely if you're thinking about buying an out-of-state car.

Before you buy a used car in Connecticut, find out if it has any hidden fees. If it does, you could be responsible for them.

The first step is to get the vehicle identification number from the seller. With the VIN, you can contact your closest Connecticut DMV location and request a title search. The Connecticut DMV will be able to tell you if there are any unpaid fees associated with the car, such as a vehicle registration fee or unpaid parking tickets.

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