REG 17 is the California DMV application for special interest and environmental license plates (ELP). One form covers an original order, a replacement, an exchange for ELPs, and the reassign, retain or release choices when you sell or stop using a vehicle. You mark the transaction at the top and complete only the sections the form lists for it. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) publishes the official form and receives the application.
Last updated
What is REG 17?
REG 17, printed as the Special Interest or Environmental License Plate (ELP) Application, is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) form used to order special interest or environmental license plates, replace them, or reassign, retain or release them.
The form has four transaction types, each with its own set of sections:
- Original: complete Sections 1, 2, 5 and 6.
- Replacement: complete Sections 1, 3, 5 and 6.
- Reassign, Retain, Release: complete Sections 1, 4, 5 and 6.
- Exchange (for ELPs): complete Sections 1, 2, 5 and 6.
Section 1 is where you choose the plate program, such as Environmental License Plate (ELP), Collegiate, Pet Lovers, Kids or Veterans' Organization. Section 2 sets the configuration: sequential (issued in number sequence) or personalized. The form states that special interest plates belong to the license plate owner, not the vehicle.
REG 17 is not used for special recognition license plates; Section 1 directs those applicants to REG 17A.
Who needs to file REG 17?
Anyone applying to the California DMV for special interest or environmental license plates uses REG 17.
- New purchasers: people ordering a plate program listed in Section 1 (original), including a personalized or sequential configuration.
- Owners of lost, mutilated or stolen plates: people who need one or two replacement plates (Section 3).
- Owners selling or no longer using a vehicle: people who want to reassign the plates to another vehicle, retain them for future use, release them to a new owner, or surrender them to the DMV (Section 4).
- Holders exchanging ELPs: people using the Exchange transaction for environmental license plates.
If the plates are a gift or a release, the purchaser and the plate holder can be different people; Section 5 has separate name and address blocks for each.
Do not use REG 17 for special recognition license plates. The form says to use REG 17A for those.
When to file REG 17
File REG 17 when you want to order special interest or environmental plates, replace lost, mutilated or stolen ones, or decide what to do with your plates after selling or giving up a vehicle. The form prints no filing deadline.
Timing matters in one case: the form says that when you sell your vehicle you may reassign the plates to another vehicle immediately, retain them for future use, or surrender them to the DMV, and that you may be subject to annual retention fees if you do not immediately place the plates on another vehicle.
Order carefully. The DMV will not honor a change of license plate selection or letter/number configuration, or a request for refund, after the application is submitted.
Documents you need
- A copy of your current registration card, for a sequential (non-personalized) plate; the form says your existing sequential plate number cannot be re-issued.
- The full vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle, required in Section 2 for a sequential plate.
- Payment by check or money order (not cash) when you mail the application; fee amounts are listed on the DMV's Special Interest License Plates Fees page.
- For Veterans' Organization plates, the organizational code of the decal; the form points to the California Department of Veterans Affairs list of logos.
How to fill out REG 17
Mark your transaction type
At the top, choose Original, Replacement, Reassign, Retain, Release, or Exchange (for ELPs). The box under each choice lists the sections you complete.
Choose the plate program in Section 1
Check one plate type, such as Environmental License Plate (ELP), Collegiate, Pet Lovers or Kids. For Veterans' Organization, provide the organizational code of the decal; for special recognition plates use REG 17A instead.
Select the vehicle type and configuration
In Section 2, mark Automobile, Commercial, Trailer or Motorcycle, then Sequential or Personalized. For sequential plates enter the current plate number and the full VIN, and include a copy of your registration card.
Enter personalized choices
Write a first, second and third choice in the boxes. Use a slash (/) for a half space and an asterisk (*) for a full space, and do not substitute letters for numbers. Check the box if you do not want the plates centered; for Kids plates, circle a symbol and check its location.
Choose the pick-up location
Check DMV Office or Auto Club (you must be a member) and enter the city. Your current plates and registration card are exchanged there, and the new plates go on a California-registered vehicle.
Complete Section 3 for replacements
Enter the special interest plate number, whether you need one or two plates, and whether they were lost, mutilated or stolen.
Complete Section 4 to reassign or release
Enter the plate number and the VIN it was removed from. Mark Retain Interest for Future Use, Release Interest/Surrender to DMV, Release Interest to New Owner, or Reassign and enter the current plate or VIN it is placed on.
Enter purchaser and holder details
In Section 5, write the true full name (last, first, middle initial, suffix) and address. Check Same as License Plate Holder, or complete the Holder block if it is different, as with a gift or release.
Sign, date and add contact details
In Section 6, sign and date under penalty of perjury and enter your telephone number. The email address is optional.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the configuration, VINs and names, since changes are not honored after submission. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it as described under How to submit.
How to submit REG 17
REG 17 can be mailed to the DMV with payment or completed and paid for online.
- By mail: send the application with payment (check or money order; do not send cash) to DMV SPU, Mail Station D238, P.O. Box 932345, Sacramento, CA 94232-3450.
- Online: apply and pay at dmv.ca.gov, Special Interest and Personalized License Plate Orders.
Fees for special license plates are listed at dmv.ca.gov, Special Interest License Plates Fees. This page does not give amounts; check that DMV page for the current fee. For questions about the form, call the DMV Customer Service Center at 1-800-777-0133.
When your new plates are ready for pick up, they must be assigned to a vehicle currently registered in California (not on Planned Non-Operation status). On the form you choose a DMV office or an Auto Club office (you must be a member) and enter its city; your current plates and registration card are exchanged there for the new plates.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting to change the plate selection, the letter/number configuration or to get a refund after submitting; the DMV will not honor those requests.
- Using REG 17 for special recognition license plates, which the form says use REG 17A.
- Entering a personalized configuration that does not comply with 13 CCR 206.02; the DMV must refuse it.
- Substituting letters for numbers or numbers for letters when entering the configuration; the instructions forbid it.
- Leaving out the full vehicle identification number or the registration card copy for a sequential plate.
- Requesting a replacement of the same configuration after both plates were lost or stolen; it cannot be reissued on any license plate type.
- Sending cash with a mailed application; the form accepts a check or money order.
- Assigning new plates to a vehicle on Planned Non-Operation status; it must be currently registered in California.
Frequently asked questions
What is REG 17 used for?
REG 17 is the California DMV application for special interest and environmental license plates. You use it to order plates, replace lost, mutilated or stolen ones, exchange ELPs, or reassign, retain or release plates after a vehicle changes hands.
Can I fill out the REG 17 form online?
Yes. You can complete the REG 17 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not send it to the DMV; you mail it with payment or apply and pay online through the DMV.
Where do I mail REG 17?
Mail it with a check or money order (not cash) to DMV SPU, Mail Station D238, P.O. Box 932345, Sacramento, CA 94232-3450. You can also apply and pay online at dmv.ca.gov, Special Interest and Personalized License Plate Orders.
Can I change my plate choice after submitting REG 17?
No. The form states that the DMV will not honor a change of license plate selection or letter/number configuration, or a request for refund, after the application is submitted. Check each character and space before you send it.
What happens to my special interest plates when I sell my car?
The plates belong to you, not the vehicle. You can reassign them to another vehicle immediately, retain them for future use, or surrender them to the DMV. Annual retention fees may apply if you do not immediately place them on another vehicle.
What do I need to apply for a sequential plate?
Enter your current plate number and the full vehicle identification number, and include a copy of your current registration card. The form notes that your existing sequential plate number cannot be re-issued.
Is REG 17 the same as REG 17A?
No. Section 1 of REG 17 says to use REG 17A for special recognition license plates. REG 17 covers the special interest and environmental plates listed in Section 1.
How much does a special interest license plate cost?
A fee applies, and the amount depends on the plate type. The DMV lists fees at dmv.ca.gov, Special Interest License Plates Fees. You pay by check or money order when mailing, or online when you order there.
Ready to fill out REG 17?
Fill out REG 17 now