Connecticut License Plates

There are over 50 custom license plates to choose from in Connecticut—here’s a peek at all the options and how to get them.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Connecticut
drivers can choose from over 50 license plate designs, from military groups and colleges to charities and hometown pride.
You’ve got a bobblehead on the dashboard, fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror, and a paint job that turns heads wherever you go—have you thought about adding vanity plates? However subtle or outrageous you want to be, Connecticut has a variety of designs and vanity options to match your vision. Another perk of custom plates? You’ll never have trouble spotting your car in a parking lot.
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What are Connecticut license plates and why do I need them?

A car’s license plates are tied to its
registration
, which helps law enforcement officers trace the car back to its owner. It’s handy for viewing a driver’s profile after pulling them to the side of the road or seeing who’s involved in an accident. And it’s essential for finding lost or stolen vehicles!
So how many plates do you need? Well, the Connecticut General Statutes require each car to clearly display one rear license plate at all times. However, they also require any driver who receives two plates from the
Connecticut DMV
to mount them on the front and rear. Word is, the CT DMV prefers to issue plates in pairs. Don’t forget your renewal date tags (upper right corner), which indicate that your registration is up to date.

What license plates does Connecticut have?

There are three kinds of license plates in Connecticut:
  • Standard license plates: Available for everything from scooters to commercial trucks, these are the plates you’ll see most often on the road.
  • Classic vehicle plates: The owners of vehicles 20 years of age or older can opt for a pair of special plate designs as unique as their ride.
  • Special plates: With options spanning ten categories, every Nutmegger should be able to find a plate that lets them advertise their special interest or group membership with pride.

Standard license plates

Sporting a light-blue-to-white gradient and the silhouette of the state in the upper left corner, these plates come standard with every vehicle registration. The dark blue lettering can be customized with any 7-character combination of letters and numbers for an extra fee, but that’s about it.

Classic vehicle plates

With a minimalist white background, navy lettering, and a silhouette of the state in the upper left corner, these plates are reserved exclusively for vehicle models that are at least 20 years old. You can
order a randomized classic plate
with a two-year registration for $47, while a vanity version will run you $96.

Special plates

The full list of special interest plates includes over 50 entries, with the only common feature being a light-blue-to-white gradient background and dark lettering. To the left or right of the digits, a large logo indicates your organization or special interest of choice, as well as the name spelled out on the bottom border.
Take your pick of designs from:
  • Amateur Radio Call Letter
  • Amistad
  • Animal Population Control
  • Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks
  • Blue Knights International
  • Candlewood Lake Authority
  • Central Connecticut State University
  • Children First Foundation
  • City of Meriden
  • City of Norwich
  • Conserve Wildlife Bobcat
  • Conserve Wildlife Eagle
  • Cure Kids Cancer
  • Cure Prostate Cancer
  • Disabled American Veterans
  • Ducks Unlimited
  • Federated Garden Club
  • Ferrari Club of America
  • Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
  • Firefighters of Connecticut
  • First Company Governor’s Foot Guard
  • Flag-Style Veteran
  • Fraternal Order of Police
  • Gold Star Family
  • Grand Lodge of Connecticut
  • Greater Hartford Chapter of the 82nd Airborne
  • Greenways
  • Hartford Whalers
  • IUOE Local 478
  • Iwo Jima Survivor
  • Keep Kids Safe
  • Knights of Columbus
  • Korean War Veterans Association Inc.
  • Laos Veterans of America
  • Lions Eye Research Foundation
  • Long Island Sound
  • Marine Corps League Inc.
  • Military Order of Purple Heart
  • National Guard Association of Connecticut (active members)
  • National Guard Association of Connecticut (retired members)
  • New England Air Museum
  • Nurses
  • Olympic Spirit
  • Operation Lifesaver
  • Preserving Our Past CT Trust
  • P.T. Barnum Foundation Inc.
  • Pearl Harbor Survivors Association
  • Penn State Alumni Association
  • Police Commissioners Association
  • Police Memorial
  • Red Sox Foundation
  • Save Our Lakes
  • Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard
  • Special Olympics
  • Support Our Troops
  • Town of Stafford
  • University of Connecticut
  • University of Hartford Alumni Association
  • University of New Haven
  • United We Stand
  • Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association
  • US Submarine Veterans
  • USS Connecticut Commissioning Committee
  • Veteran Motorcycle Plate
  • Year of Manufacture
  • Wartime Veteran Plate
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How do I get a Connecticut license plate?

If it’s your first time registering your car, you’ll need to complete an application in person at the DMV or at the dealership where you purchased the vehicle. Make sure to bring the required documents! Renewal is easy through the
online portal
, with a $90 fee for regular passenger cars and $45 for seniors. 
Lost or stolen plates? You can order a replacement online; if you include a police report to verify your plates were stolen, the replacements will only cost $5. An application sans report will be $25. Selling your car? You can cancel your plates online or by mail.
If, on the other hand, you’d like to create a new special plate, you’ll need to submit proof of your organization’s non-profit status and a letter of good standing from the Connecticut Secretary of State. You’ll foot the bill for creating a logo, as well as manufacturing a batch of at least 400 plates, should your design be approved.

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FAQs

The Connecticut DMV offers over 50 different group and special interest plates.
Yes and no—Connecticut law requires only a rear license plate, but it also says any driver who receives two license plates must display both of them. The Connecticut DMV seems to prefer to issue two plates to all drivers.
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