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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Start earning nowWhat 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
Animal Population Control
Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks
Blue Knights International
Candlewood Lake Authority
Central Connecticut State University
Children First Foundation
Disabled American Veterans
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
Firefighters of Connecticut
First Company Governor’s Foot Guard
Fraternal Order of Police
Grand Lodge of Connecticut
Greater Hartford Chapter of the 82nd Airborne
Korean War Veterans Association Inc.
Lions Eye Research Foundation
Military Order of Purple Heart
National Guard Association of Connecticut (active members)
National Guard Association of Connecticut (retired members)
Preserving Our Past CT Trust
P.T. Barnum Foundation Inc.
Pearl Harbor Survivors Association
Penn State Alumni Association
Police Commissioners Association
Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard
University of Connecticut
University of Hartford Alumni Association
Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association
USS Connecticut Commissioning Committee
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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