Keeping California personalized or special-interest plates

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.

DMV special-interest plate instructions

Sources reviewed September 10, 2026. Use the current instructions for your vehicle and transaction.

Continue with your California sale.

California Notice of Transfer and Release of LiabilityReport the sale separately from signing the title.Selling a California car with a missing titleCheck the ownership record and lender involvement before choosing replacement paperwork.California Smog Checks when selling a carCheck the vehicle and transaction before assuming an inspection is required or exempt.Selling a California vehicle on planned nonoperationA car that does not run is not automatically recorded as PNO.California salvage and nonrepairable vehicle documentsRead the certificate before choosing a sale, repair or disposal route.Junking or dismantling a vehicle in CaliforniaSelling a car to a dismantler and dismantling it yourself involve different responsibilities.Selling an inherited vehicle in CaliforniaEstablish who can sign before arranging a sale or collection.California odometer disclosures and signaturesPrepare the correct mileage disclosure for the vehicle and transfer.Selling a California car with a lender or lienResolve the lender’s interest alongside the vehicle offer.Correcting a California title before sellingResolve an incorrect entry before completing the transfer.Selling a car in California with an out-of-state titleThe vehicle’s location and its title jurisdiction are separate details.California vehicle retirement versus a private junk-car saleCompare the state program’s eligibility and process with a private offer.California vehicle pickup and sale recordsPrepare the car, ownership documents and follow-up before collection.A vehicle left on California property: removal and ownershipEstablish who owns the vehicle before choosing a sale or removal route.Selling a California vehicle through an authorized representativePrepare the owner’s authorization before someone else signs the sale documents.California car-selling forms and document checklistChoose documents for your situation instead of completing every form.