How Much Are License Plates In Washington?

License plate fees vary depending on the types of plates you choose, in Washington as well as in other states. Starting July 1, 2022, the cost of standard license plates in Washington is $50.

If you want personalized plates, they’ll cost up to $209.25. Additional taxes and fees apply to both new and renewal registrations.

In Washington, vehicles are required to have both rear and front plates.

(Every US state requires a rear license plate. Some states require a rear plate only, while other states require 2 license plates.)

Here are the steps for getting a new license plate from the Washington Secretary of State (Washington DOL).

1. Get auto insurance. Before registering your vehicle and getting new license plates, you must have a minimum level of auto insurance coverage that meets Washington state requirements.
2. Gather required documents. You will need to bring several documents to the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) to register your vehicle and get license plates. These documents include the vehicle title, proof of insurance, and a completed vehicle certificate of ownership (VCO) form.
3. Visit the closest Department of Licensing office. Bring your required documents to a DOL office. You will need to provide your name, address, and Social Security number (or other acceptable identification) to the DOL representative.
4. Complete an application. You will need to fill out an application for vehicle registration and license plates. The DOL representative will verify your information, review your documents, and process your application.
5. Pay registration fees. You will need to pay registration fees, which vary depending on the type of vehicle you are registering and the length of time you want to register it for. The registration fee for passenger cars is $30 per year.
6. Get license plates. After completing the registration process and paying the registration fees, you will receive your license plates. The DOL representative will give you temporary plates to use until your permanent plates arrive in the mail.
7. Install license plates. Once you receive your license plates, you must install them on your vehicle according to Washington state regulations. Your plates must be visible and readable from a distance of at least 25 feet.

There are many different 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). They are made of aluminum, which is durable and resistant to rust.

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

A set of standard Washington license plates costs $50.

Standard plates are available in the following designs:

1. Evergreen State
2. Explore Washington
3. Centennial
4. Disabled Veteran
5. Pearl Harbor Survivor
6. Purple Heart

Passenger vehicles, commercial motor vehicles, motorcycles, permanent trailers, trailer coaches, and park trailers are eligible for a standard Washington license plate.

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

Washington offers a wide range of specialty plates on the DOL website. Drivers can choose to support a team, cause, or message that they care about by sporting the associated license plates on their vehicle.

Here are a few of the many specialty plates available in Washington.


To order a specialty plate, you will need to fill out and submit the application for specialty plates and submit them to your local DOL office.

Personalized license plates, also known as vanity plates, allow you to express yourself even more than other types of license plates available in Washington. Drivers can choose between a combination of numbers, letters, spaces, and hyphens.

Drivers can also choose between the standard mountain background and a special design. The latter costs more. Here are the initial costs for each:

Personalized plates with the standard mountain background:


Personalized plates with a special design:


Washington personalized license plates have an annual renewal fee in addition to the initial cost.

You can find out if your desired personalization is allowed and available by visiting the DOL website.

The cost of a disability plate in Washington is the same as a standard license plate: $33.75.

People with disabilities in Washington can apply for disabled parking permits from the DOL. Both placards and license plates are available to those who qualify.

You can apply for a disabled placard or license plate, including a disabled veteran plate, in person or by mailing it to the following address:


Department of Licensing
P.O. Box 9043
Olympia, WA 98507
To apply for a handicapped placard or license plate, you must submit the disabled parking application for individuals (Form TD-420-073).

A Washington car title transfer happens in two stages.

1. The buyer and seller meet up and do the vehicle transaction, at which time the seller signs over the title to the buyer and the buyer becomes the new owner.
2. The new owner completes the title transfer with the DOL at the same time they register the car and handle other formalities.

To complete a Washington vehicle title transfer with the DOL, you will need to provide the following info:


If you buy a car from a private party, the title must be changed to your name within 15 days. Failure to transfer the title within the allotted time will result in a $50 fine on the 16th day and $2 per day thereafter, up to a total of $125.

To apply for Washington license plates, you must have a valid vehicle registration card from the Washington DOL. To make things more efficient, title transfer and car registration are done simultaneously.

To register the vehicle, you will need to submit the following:


Registration fees are based on vehicle weight:


On the Washington DOL website, you can find useful information about how to register your car and how to apply for a license plate.

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

1. Choose a license plate design. Washington offers several standard license plate designs, as well as a variety of specialty and personalized plates. Choose the plate design that fits your needs.
2. Gather required documents. You will need to provide proof of vehicle ownership, such as a vehicle title or registration, as well as proof of insurance to order license plates in Washington.
3. Visit a DOL office. Bring your required documents to a DOL office. The DOL representative will require your name, address, and Social Security number.
4. Order the license plates. Let the DOL representative know which license plate design you want and provide any other required information. You will need to pay the appropriate fees at this time.
5. Get temporary license plates. If you order new license plates or transfer plates from another vehicle, you will be given temporary plates to use until your new plates arrive.

When transferring an out-of-state title into Washington, you need to submit the following documentation:


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

The breakdown of WA registration fees is as follows:


Each state has different requirements for how often license plates need to be renewed. Washington drivers are required to renew their registration annually.

Being late on registration renewal can lead to late additional fees, fines, and other problems when pulled over for a traffic stop. To avoid this, it is important to pay careful attention to the registration expiration date.

In some cases, the Washington DOL may require you to change your license plates. If your license plate is lost or stolen, contact the DOL office to have it replaced with new numbers and letters.

The replacement license plate fee is $77.25

To replace a damaged or unreadable plate, you need to submit the following to the Washington DOL office:


If your license plate was stolen, you’ll need to report the theft to law enforcement and apply for a replacement.

You can get a new temporary "plate" made of cardboard at the same Washington office where you bought the first one. You must provide the vehicle identification number or the department's temporary permit number.

It costs $10 for a temporary tag that is valid for 45 days. When new license plates are received, you need to take the temporary license plates off.

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

The first step is to obtain the vehicle identification number from the seller. With the VIN, you can contact the Washington DOL and request a title search. The DOL will be able to tell you if there are any unpaid fees associated with the car, such as a vehicle registration fee or a parking ticket.

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