Alabama's Current Plate Options
Alabama offers several license plate designs beyond the standard passenger plate, each with its own purpose and cost. The standard plate features the state name, a number sequence, and the slogan "Heart of Dixie." Specialty plates—sometimes called vanity or personalized plates—let you choose a custom design that reflects your interests, profession, or support for a cause, though they cost more than the standard plate and require a separate request process.
The Alabama Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division handles all plate issuance. When you renew your registration or purchase a new vehicle, you can choose to keep a standard plate or switch to a specialty design. Not all designs are available in all counties, and some require membership in the organization they represent.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama offers standard plates and specialty designs; specialty plates cost more and require a separate request beyond your normal registration renewal.
- Many specialty plates support specific organizations or causes—military, education, wildlife conservation—and some require proof of membership or affiliation.
- You can request a custom letter-and-number combination (vanity plate) on most designs, subject to availability and content rules.
- Plate changes happen at registration renewal or when you purchase a vehicle; you cannot switch designs mid-registration year without paying a transfer fee.
- The Motor Vehicle Division website lists all current designs, costs, and may be able to access rules; designs and availability change annually.
Specialty Plate Categories and What They Support
Alabama groups specialty plates by category: military and veteran plates, university and college plates, professional organization plates, conservation and wildlife plates, and cause-awareness plates. Military plates honor active duty, retired, and veteran service members and typically do not require additional fees beyond the standard specialty plate cost. University plates support specific Alabama colleges and universities; a portion of the plate fee goes to that school's scholarship or athletic fund.
Conservation plates—such as those supporting wildlife management, state parks, or the Alabama Audubon Society—direct fees toward environmental programs. Cause plates support organizations focused on health awareness, child welfare, or other public interests. Each plate type has its own annual fee, which varies. You will need to verify the current cost and which organizations are active in 2025 through the Motor Vehicle Division, because the roster and fees change year to year.
How to Request a Specialty Plate
Request a specialty plate when you renew your vehicle registration or register a new vehicle. You can begin the process online through the Alabama Department of Revenue website, by mail, or in person at your county probate office. The probate office is the local authority that handles vehicle registration in Alabama, not the DMV (Alabama does not have a separate DMV office).
If the specialty plate requires membership—such as a military veteran plate or a university alumni plate—you will need to provide proof. For military plates, this means a military ID, discharge papers, or a letter from the Veterans Affairs office. For university plates, some schools require an alumni membership card or proof of graduation. Check the specific plate's requirements before you submit your request, because incomplete applications delay processing.
Once you submit your request and pay the fee, the Motor Vehicle Division produces your plate and mails it to you. Processing typically takes two to four weeks. If you need the plate sooner, some county probate offices can issue temporary plates while you wait for the permanent one.
Vanity Plate Combinations and Content Rules
You can customize the letter-and-number sequence on most Alabama plates—both standard and specialty designs. This is called a vanity plate. The Motor Vehicle Division checks your requested combination against a list of prohibited content before approval. Combinations that are offensive, obscene, or that impersonate government agencies are rejected. Combinations that are already in use are also unavailable.
Vanity plates cost more than standard specialty plates. The exact fee depends on the design you choose and how many characters you request. You can request up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or both). Once you submit a vanity request, the Motor Vehicle Division notifies you within a few business days whether your combination is approved. If it is rejected, you can request a different combination at no additional cost.
Cost Differences Between Standard and Specialty Plates
Standard Alabama passenger plates cost the same as your regular vehicle registration renewal fee. Specialty plates add a surcharge on top of that renewal cost. The surcharge varies by plate design—some specialty plates add $25 to $50 per year, while others add more. Vanity combinations add an additional fee beyond the specialty plate cost.
The fee structure means that switching from a standard plate to a specialty plate mid-year (outside of your renewal window) requires paying a transfer fee plus the specialty plate surcharge. It is usually cheaper to wait until your next renewal to switch designs. If you want to change from one specialty design to another at renewal, you pay only the new design's fee; you do not pay both.
Plate Designs Available in 2025
Alabama's specialty plate roster changes annually as organizations request new designs and existing designs are retired. Current designs include plates honoring the University of Alabama, Auburn University, and other state universities; military and veteran plates; conservation plates supporting wildlife and state parks; and cause plates supporting organizations like the American Cancer Society and the Autism Society.
The Motor Vehicle Division publishes the complete list of available designs, their costs, and may be able to access requirements on its website each year. Because designs are added and removed, you should check the current list before deciding which plate you want. If a design you want is no longer available, you cannot order it, even if you had it in the past.
Transferring Your Plate to a New Vehicle
If you own a specialty plate and buy a new vehicle, you can transfer the plate to the new car. You will need to update your registration with the Motor Vehicle Division and pay a transfer fee. The transfer fee is less than ordering a new specialty plate, but it is not free. You must transfer the plate within a certain window after you purchase the new vehicle; check your county probate office for the exact important date.
If you do not transfer the plate and let your old vehicle's registration expire, the plate is retired and you cannot reclaim it later. If you want to keep a specialty plate design you have used before, transferring it to your new vehicle is the most cost-effective way to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order a specialty plate without renewing my registration?
No. You can only request a specialty plate during registration renewal or when you register a new vehicle. If you want to change plates mid-year, you will need to pay a transfer fee to the Motor Vehicle Division, which is more expensive than waiting for your next renewal.
What happens if my vanity plate combination is rejected?
The Motor Vehicle Division will notify you that your combination is unavailable or prohibited. You can submit a different combination at no extra cost. There is no limit to how many times you can request different combinations until one is approved.
Do I have to renew my specialty plate every year?
Yes. Specialty plates are renewed along with your vehicle registration each year. You pay the specialty plate surcharge again at each renewal. If you want to switch back to a standard plate, you can do so at renewal without penalty.
Can I use a specialty plate design that is no longer listed?
No. Once a design is retired, it is no longer available for new orders. If you currently have that plate, you can keep it and renew it, but you cannot order it if you do not already have it.
Where do I check which specialty plates are available right now?
The Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division website lists all current designs, costs, and may be able to access requirements. Your county probate office can also provide a current list when you visit to renew your registration.