How to get dealer plates in California
What California dealer plates cost, the types you can get, how to apply, and the rules on using them. Verified as of June 2026.
CA dealer plates at a glance:
- Issued by
- California DMV Occupational Licensing
- Cost per plate
- $92/year per plate (+ county fees)
- Requirement
- Active California dealer license
- Use them for
- Demos, inventory moves, dealership business
- Term
- Annual (with license renewal)
Informational only — confirm current fees and rules with the California DMV (Occupational Licensing) before you apply.
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What California dealer plates are
California dealer plates (the DMV calls them special dealer plates) let a licensed dealer operate, move, and demonstrate dealership-owned vehicles without registering each one individually. They're issued through DMV Occupational Licensing — the same unit that issues your dealer license.
California is stricter than most states about how the plates are used and documented: each plate needs a usage log the DMV can inspect, and personal use is off the table. Budget for that discipline from day one and the plates are a straightforward part of the operation.
Types of CA dealer plates
For licensed vehicle dealers — $92 per plate per year plus any county fees. Used on dealership-owned vehicles for demonstration, transport, and other dealership business.
The motorcycle equivalent, at $94 per plate per year plus county fees, for licensed motorcycle dealers.
Issued electronically in your DMV Occupational Licensing account as soon as you're licensed, so you can operate while the metal plates arrive (typically 1–3 months).
How to get dealer plates in California
- 1
Get your California dealer license first
Dealer plates are only available to licensed dealers. That means the DMV Occupational Licensing process — established place of business, zoning, inspection, dealer education, and the licensing exam — comes first.
- 2
Order plates with your application
The dealer application lets you request the number of dealer plates you need up front, at $92 per plate per year (plus county fees where applicable).
- 3
Use your temporary plates while you wait
Once licensed, temporary dealer plates appear in your DMV Occupational Licensing account immediately. Metal plates typically arrive in one to three months.
- 4
Order more (or replace) plates online
Licensed dealers order additional plates or replace lost/stolen ones through the DMV Occupational Licensing portal — no new application needed.
- 5
Keep the per-plate usage log current
California requires a record for each plate: which VIN it was on, the dates, and the purpose. The DMV can inspect these records at any time, and sloppy logs are a common audit finding.
Rules on using CA dealer plates
- Plates go only on vehicles the dealership owns — never on employees' or owners' personal vehicles
- No personal use: demonstrations, inventory transport, and dealership business only
- Keep a per-plate log (VIN, dates, purpose of use) available for DMV inspection at any time
- A sold vehicle needs its own registration — the buyer doesn't drive away on your dealer plate
- Misuse can bring fines and suspension of both the plates and the dealer license behind them
Common questions
How much are dealer plates in California?+
Auto dealer plates cost $92 per plate per year (plus county fees where applicable); motorcycle dealer plates are $94. You pay when you apply for or renew your dealer license, for however many plates you carry.
Who can get California dealer plates?+
Only dealers licensed by the California DMV. There's no shortcut: the established place of business, zoning, inspection, dealer education, and exam all come before the plates.
How long do California dealer plates take?+
Temporary dealer plates are issued electronically in your DMV Occupational Licensing account as soon as you're licensed. The metal plates typically arrive within one to three months.
Can I use a dealer plate on my personal car in California?+
No. California limits dealer plates to dealership-owned vehicles used for dealership business, and requires a usage log per plate that the DMV can inspect. Personal use is a fast way to lose the plates — and put your license at risk.
How many dealer plates can a California dealer get?+
You request the number your operation needs — there's no fixed statewide cap for typical dealers — and pay $92 per plate per year. Keep the count defensible against your inventory and sales volume, since every plate carries a log the DMV can audit.
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