How to Buy a Personalized Iowa License Plate

If you're looking for a way to make your car a little more fun, a personalized license plate might be perfect for you. A personalized license plate is a great way to add some flair and a bit of personality to your car.

Iowa has two pieces of your license plate that can be personalized for a small fee. First, you can choose from a wide variety of plate designs, and second, you can create your own message on the plate. Between these two things, you are sure to find the perfect license plate for you and your car.

Part 1 of 3: Choose Your Personal License Plate

Step 1. Go to the Iowa website.. Visit the official website of the State of Iowa.

Step 2: Go to the Department of Transportation website.. Go to the Iowa Department of Transportation website.

On the left sidebar of the Iowa website, click the Transportation link. When the next page loads, click on the link that says "Department of Transportation".

Step 3. Go to the branded and personalized plates page.. Go to the Special and Personalized Numbers page on the Department of Transportation website.

Click on the "Online Services" button at the top of the page.

Click on the button labeled "Cars".

Click on the link titled "Order Branded and Personalized Plates".

• Functions: The special and personalized plates page has a lot of tips and information that is very helpful to read.

Step 4: Choose your car type. At the bottom of the page, select the type of vehicle for which you are getting personalized license plates.

When prompted, check if the vehicle is currently on lease.

• FunctionsA: The vehicle for which you are obtaining license plates must be currently registered in Iowa.

• A warningA: If you are renting your vehicle, you will need to provide a copy of the lease to the Department of Transportation before you receive license plates. Make sure personalized signs are allowed in your rental agreement.

Step 5. Choose Between Specialized and Personalized. Choose whether you want to purchase a special plate or a personalized plate, then click the button labeled "Next".

A special plate is a plate with a unique design but with a randomly assigned number. A personalized license plate is a unique license plate design and a personalized license plate message.

• Functions: If you choose a custom plate, you won't have as many plate design options as if you choose a personalized plate. You will only be able to select a college or university themed plate design for a special plate.

Step 6: Choose a Plate Design. Choose your desired license plate design.

Iowa offers dozens of license plate designs to choose from. To select the design you wish to purchase, click on it.

• Functions: ham radio, ambulance, fire, military, and veteran numbers are not shown on this page, but are available. To purchase any of these numbers, you will need to provide a certificate and therefore need to visit the Ministry of Transportation office. This is also true if you want to purchase a disabled sign.

Step 7: Select a license plate message: Select a personalized license plate message.

Select the license plate message and enter it in the "Enter personalized text" field.

License plate messages cannot use special characters or punctuation, but spaces can be used. However, spaces are taken into account when limiting the number of characters.

License plate messages can contain both letters and numbers, but cannot contain only numbers.

After entering the message, explain its meaning in the box below, then click Next. You can also enter two additional license plate messages in case the first one is already taken, but this is not necessary as you have already checked availability.

• Functions: Different license plate designs may meet different character limits. Be sure to read the Requirements section on the page to find out how many characters you can use for your chosen plate.

• Functions: This step and the next step are not required if you only purchase the special plate.

• A warning: Rude or offensive license plate messages will be rejected. They will appear on the Department of Transportation website as available, but your application will be rejected at a later date. Posts that identify government agencies also fall into this category.

Step 8: Check Availability: Check if your license plate message is available.

With your message selected, click the button labeled "Check Availability" to see if the number is currently registered to someone else. If you receive a warning that the number is not available or invalid, try again until you find an available number.

Part 2 of 3: Order your custom license plate

Step 1: Login: Enter the Iowa Department of Motor Vehicles.

An existing account is not required to sign in. You just need to provide your first and last name, date of birth, driver's license or ID, and the last five digits of your social security number.

After entering the information, check the box to confirm that the information is correct, and then click the "Login" button.

• FunctionsA: Your driver's license or ID must be issued by the state of Iowa.

Step 2: Fill in your informationA: Fill in all the information on the application form.

Fill in both your personal information and information about the vehicle that the personalized license plates are for.

• Functions: Before submitting information, double-check that all answers are correct and that there are no spelling errors.

Step 3: Pay the fee: Pay for a personal license plate.

Enter your credit or debit card information to pay the initial personal license plate fee as well as the annual verification fee.

• FunctionsA: Fees vary depending on which plate design you choose and whether you are getting a special plate or a personalized plate.

• A warningA: The personal license plate fee is in addition to any standard license plates, registration fees and taxes.

Step 4: Confirm: Confirm payment and order a personalized license plate.

Part 3 of 3. Set up your personal license plates

Step 1: Get your plates: Take your plates from the treasurer's office.

When your plates are approved, manufactured and delivered, you will be notified by mail. Go to your local county treasurer's office to collect your plates.

Step 2: Install the plates: Install new personalized license plates.

Install your personalized license plates on the front and back of your vehicle as soon as you receive them.

• Functions: If you are not comfortable installing the license plate, call a mechanic to help you.

• A warning: Be sure to attach stickers with current registration numbers to the license plate before driving a car.

When your new personalized license plates are installed, your car will take on an extra personality. Both the design of the plaque and the special message will make you smile every time you get into your car.