New Jersey License Plates

Show off your support for historic preservation or your favorite sports team with one of these New Jersey license plate options.
Written by Macy Fouse
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Whether you’re content with the standard black and yellow plate or you want to show your support for the state’s wildlife conversation, there are dozens of
license plates
to choose from in
New Jersey
License plates serve as your car’s identification number, but they can also be a chance to add some flair to your ride. Drivers from
Trenton
to
Atlantic City
have almost endless options to customize their New Jersey license plates. 
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What are New Jersey license plates and why do I need them?

License plates are essentially your car’s ID. They tie your vehicle to you as the owner as well as verify that your car is registered and legal. They can also help police track down stolen vehicles or suspects in
hit-and-run accidents
. That’s why license plates are so important!
In New Jersey, you’ll need to have both a front and a back license plate on display at all times. That means they need to be clean and illuminated enough to make them visible from 50 feet away at night
Let’s go through what options you have for license plates in New Jersey.

What license plates does New Jersey have?

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) offers the following categories of license plates:
  • Standard plates
    , which are the simple yellow-and-white gradient plates with black letters or
    disability plates
  • Dedicated plates
    are special interest plates that support your favorite cause or organization. 
  • Specialty plates
    , or organizational plates, show your involvement in qualified non-profit groups, like service, community, or alumni organizations. This category also includes plates for military personnel, volunteer workers, and specific professionals.
  • Sports plates
    can be purchased to show the world your undying dedication to your favorite licensed sports team—from the NBA and NHL to NASCAR.
  • Special vehicle plates
    denote a vehicle’s status as a historic or street rod vehicle.
You can also apply for a
personalized plate
for a one-time fee of $50. They must have a minimum of three letters and no more than seven alphanumeric characters, and you can order them online via the
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
. Leased vehicles are not eligible, though.   

Dedicated and special interest plates

  • Health-related causes: Invest in a health-related license plate, like
    Organ Donor
    ,
    Deborah Heart & Lung
    , or
    Conquer Cancer
    , and your fee will go toward raising awareness, medical research, and educating the public. 
  • Law enforcement memorial: Proceeds from these plates go to a scholarship fund for children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty to study at any public or private institution. 
  • Animal-friendly: By purchasing an animal welfare plate, you help the Department of Health’s animal population control program, preventing the birth of unwanted puppies or kittens through low-cost spaying and neutering services. 
  • Agriculture: Promote and advertise farming in New Jersey with a colorful agriculture plate, complete with fruits and vegetables. 
  • Conservation: Show your support for various conservation efforts like
    Treasure Our Trees
    ,
    Meadowlands
    ,
    Pinelands
    ,
    Shore to Please
    , and
    Conserve Wildlife
    . Proceeds go to incentive programs, tree planting projects, reduced energy costs, preserving natural resources, cleaning up beaches, protecting local wildlife, and more.
  • Historical awareness: Plates from organizations like
    Discover NJ History
    ,
    Baymen’s Heritage
    , and
    USS New Jersey Battleship
    go toward historic preservation efforts as well as remind others of the rich history of the Garden State. 

Specialty and organizational plates

  • Service organizations: Show off your group’s community contributions with a logo and group name on your yellow New Jersey plate. This category includes groups like American Legion, Leathernecks, VFW, and other various veteran groups.
  • Community organizations: These plates commemorate your non-profit or professional group, including everything from firefighters, Freemasons, and square dancers to United Bowhunters, engineers, and Kiwanis International.
  • Alumni organizations: Got school spirit? These plates show the world your school or group pride from organizations like Rutgers University, Notre Dame, and Alpha Kappa Alpha. 
  • Military personnel: Current and former members of the military can display their service, group, or award, like P.O.W.s, Disabled Vets, or Army Guards. 
  • Volunteer workers: If you’re a volunteer firefighter, EMT, or amateur radio operator, you can qualify for a special designation on your NJ plate.
  • Professionals: Various professionals like dentists and doctors can qualify for a specialty plate for a $50 fee. 
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How do I get a New Jersey license plate?

To get new plates in New Jersey, you’ll need to first
register your car
through the New Jersey MVC. If you’re new to the state, you’ll also need to transfer your license to New Jersey within 60 days of your move or before your current license expires, whichever happens first. Both of these tasks will require
making an appointment
.
To register your vehicle, you’ll need:
If you’re already registered in New Jersey and just want to add some pizzazz with a new design, you’ll need to follow the instructions for the type of plate you want. For example, organization plates must be coordinated through the specific organization, but dedicated plates can be
ordered online
.

How to customize your car insurance for savings in New Jersey 

Now that you’re rocking a new personalized license plate, take it an extra step and pick out a new personalized
car insurance
policy. When you use
Jerry
, the
trustworthy insurance super app
, you can find coverage made just for you. 
Just download the app, go through the quick sign-up process, and almost instantly see your options for savings from the top insurance providers. Ready to sign up? Jerry’s experts can guide you through every step, even helping you cancel your old policy. 
The savings are no small thing, either: average Jerry users save more than $800 per year on coverage! 
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FAQs

Other than the standard plates, New Jersey MVC offers over 100 different plate options and variations.
Yes! Both a front and back plate are required to be street legal in New Jersey.
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