8.16.1

GENERAL LICENSE PLATE INFORMATION

Effective Date: September 26, 2025

Review Due: September 26, 2027

Summary of Changes

Added an exception to the $5 plate replacement fee for a Disability and Deaf/hard of Hearing License Plates, and a policy reference in Section I.

Purpose

Information and guidelines for basic license plates, retention of license plates as a souvenir, and surrendered license plate.

Authority

Administrative Revision, A.R.S. §§ 28-2052, 28-2058, 28-2151, 28-2351, 28-2352, 28-2354, 28-2401, 28-2402, 28-2403, 28-2406, 28-2409, 28-2451, 28-2488, A.A.C R-17-4-351, and R-17-4-352.

Policy

1. The Division is authorized to issue license plates to a vehicle. License plates are coated with a reflective material and are designed so that the alphanumeric characters and the license plate are of sufficient size to be plainly readable, during daylight hours, from a distance of 100 feet.

2. The license plate is assigned to the vehicle owner, and is attached to the vehicle record of the vehicle he or she owns. The license plate and validated tab indicating the month and year of registration expiration is to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle for which registration is requested.

3. A plate may be issued according to the vehicle's:

1. Body style
2. Use type
3. Owner

4. When the vehicle is sold, the owner retains the license plate. The plate may then be:

1. Transferred to another vehicle owned by the customer.
2. Retained as a souvenir (when applicable).
3. Surrendered to the Division.

5. On termination of the lawful use of the license plate the Division may require return of the license plate issued by the Division.

6. Certain plates may be personalized and/or display the International Symbol of Access (é), see Policies 8.16.6 Disability And Deaf/Hard of Hearing License Plate/Placard, and 8.16.12 Personalized License Plate.

7. The Division issues various types of special plates. The special plate is issued in lieu of the regular alphanumeric plate, see the appropriate special license plate policy.

8. An additional postage and handling fee is required when mailing license plates depending on the size and number of plates being mailed, see Postage and Handling Fees Chart.

1. When a license plate mailed to the customer’s mailing address is not delivered the Division will waive the replacement fee for the undelivered license plate provided the registrant has not moved, still maintains the mailing address of record and claims non-delivery by the Post Office.
2. The claim of non-delivery must be made at least 10 days, but not more than 45 days after the validation date.

9. The replacement fee for any lost, stolen, destroyed, or mutilated license plate or special plate is $5 plus postage and handling, with the exception of a Disability or Deaf/Hard of Hearing License Plate, see Policy 8.16.6 Disability and Deaf/Hard of Hearing License Plate/Placard.

10. Upon a customer’s request, a second special or personalized license plate (of a currently issued plate) may be issued for a fee of $10 plus postage and handling, see the appropriate special plate policy.

Retention of License Plates As A Souvenir

11. The Division allows owners, co-owners and family members of a deceased owner to retain special issuance plates or any similar special plate from another state or country as a souvenir.

12. The Division allows plates issued by another state or foreign country to be retained as a souvenir, upon request, when applying for an Arizona title and/or registration.

• Vehicles that hold an Interstate Registration are not required to surrender the out-of-state vehicle plate.

13. Retained souvenir plates cannot be displayed on any motor vehicle

Surrendered License Plate

14. Plates may be surrendered for any of the following reasons:

1. To obtain a title-only.
2. To obtain a 30-Day General Use Permit or 90-Day Resident Registration.
3. To obtain a Special Plate(s).
4. To obtain an Abandoned Vehicle Transfer of Ownership.
5. To obtain a Written Authorization to Dispose of a Junk Vehicle.
6. To obtain a title branded “Dismantled” or “Salvage”.
7. A change in vehicle use type.
8. After use as evidence by law enforcement.
9. Seized as a result of Division enforcement or law enforcement action.

• An owner who claims their plates were wrongfully seized must provide a statement on law enforcement agency letterhead stating that the plates were seized in error prior to issuing a no-fee plate replacement.

15. Surrendered license plates may not be sold, displayed or retained by the processor without express written permission from the responsible Program Manager.