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CALIFORNIA · SELLER GUIDANCE · PRACTICAL GUIDE

Keeping California personalized or special-interest plates

Decide whether to retain, transfer or release California special-interest plates before pickup. Use the plate-specific DMV instructions rather than assuming ordinary-plate rules apply.

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Choose retention, reassignment or release

DMV provides different routes for retaining special-interest plates for future use, assigning them to another vehicle or releasing interest. Tell the purchaser if you plan to keep them and follow the instructions for your plate type.

Use REG 17 for the applicable request

The Special Interest License Plate Application, REG 17, covers these requests. Check current fees and the required signatures. Selling the car does not automatically complete your plate-retention request.

Coordinate the vehicle and plate records

Keep a copy of the request and discuss the plate arrangement before collection. Ask DMV which instructions apply if the car is going to a dismantler. Do not apply a special-plate retention rule indiscriminately to every ordinary plate.

Official sources.

Sources reviewed September 26, 2026. Use the current instructions for your vehicle and transaction.

Continue with your California sale.

California Notice of Transfer and Release of LiabilityReport a California vehicle sale to DMV within five days using the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability. The notice is separate from signing over the title.California vehicle pickup and sale recordsFor a California pickup, prepare the ownership documents, agree the buyer and amount, arrange access and keep the sale record. Complete the separate DMV sale notification afterward.

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