Registration & Plates

Des Moines University

Please note there are different requirements depending upon plate choice. Be sure to review the specific information for each plate.

Eligible vehicles

  • Automobiles
  • Multipurpose vehicles
  • Sport utility vehicles
  • Vans
  • Trucks
  • Motor homes
  • Trailers and travel trailers


Numbered plates

  • $25 initial fee 
  • $5 annual renewal fee
  • Annual registration renewal fee

Personalized plates

  • $50 initial fee
  • $5 annual renewal fee
  • Annual registration renewal fee (paid to county treasurer)
Personalized license plates may consist of up to seven characters and numbers. All personalized plate choices must have at least two characters.
  • No punctuation marks are allowed
  • No denoting a government agency (i.e., DOT)
  • No display of characters that are sexual in connotation
  • No characters suggesting profane, obscene or inflammatory words or phrases, or those contrary to public policy
  • No characters or words defined in dictionaries as a term of vulgarity, contempt, prejudice, hostility, insult, or racial or ethnic degradation
  • No characters considered to be offensive
  • No characters that conflict with the regular license numbering system
  • Recognized as a swear word
  • Reference to an illegal substance or criminal act
  • Any foreign word falling in any of these categories
  • Cannot be all numbers

How to apply

Collegiate plate orders are processed online for both letter-number plates and personalized plates. You will need an Iowa driver’s license or an Iowa ID and a credit card for payment to complete the transaction. A bank card with a Visa or Mastercard logo can also be used for payment.

Your plates will be sent to your county treasurer’s office, and you will be notified when your plates are available. Typical processing time is 3 – 6 weeks.

  • Personalized plates must be picked up within 90 days of notification or the plates will be voided. There are no refunds for personalization or special-order plate fees.
  • You must exchange any plates issued for the vehicle for your new plates. This must be at the time the new plates are picked up.

Order personalized or specialty plates online (You will need an Iowa Driver's license or ID and a credit card to complete the transaction.)

Check the status of your order.


For questions

Department of Transportation

Iowa Department of Transportation

800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010

Phone

515-239-1101

How can we help?

Contact the Iowa DOT or report an issue