If you own a vehicle in Connecticut and wish to apply for license plates for the first time or require replacement plates, you should apply in person at the DMV. For renewals, you can do this either in person, by mail, or online.

Sample Connecticut License Plate

Before You Apply for Connecticut License Plates

When you're purchasing a new or used vehicle in Connecticut, you must register at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

If you've purchased a vehicle from a dealer, you should have received temporary tags from them. This permits you to drive your vehicle as your plates are being prepared by the DMV.

If you've purchased a vehicle privately, you should visit the DMV in advance to obtain temporary tags. These temporary tags typically cost $21 and remain valid for 21 days.

Applying for Your License Plates in Connecticut

If you're a new resident in Connecticut, you have 60 days to register your vehicle at the DMV.

If you're purchasing a vehicle from a dealer, often the dealer will handle the registration of your vehicle.

Finally, if you are purchasing the vehicle privately, you will have to register it yourself.

You must bring the appropriate documents to the DMV:

Vehicle Title
Proof of Insurance
Valid ID
Emissions Test

Please contact your DMV for a full list of requirements for the vehicle you intend to register.

Standard License Plate in Connecticut

You must have two license plates on your vehicle - one on the front and another on the rear. If you are registering a motorcycle or a trailer, you’ll be issued just one plate for the rear.

Since 2010, you no longer need registration stickers on your license plate. Typically, your license plate in Connecticut will be valid for 2 years. After that, you have to renew your registration either in person, by mail, or online.

Personalizing Your License Plates in Connecticut

You can personalize your license plates in Connecticut and get what are known as vanity plates. A vanity plate must comply with the following rules:

Up to 7 characters (up to 6 characters for motorcycles and up to 5 characters for veteran or classic motorcycles)
No spaces or dashes
Can use 1 dot (you can only place this between characters)

You can check license plate availability and purchase your combination of characters for $94 (on top of any additional registration or renewal fees).

Available Specialty License Plates in Connecticut

If you really want a unique license plate for your vehicle, you can choose from assorted specialty license plates available in Connecticut. Here are some examples:

City of Norwich License Plate
Town of Stafford License Plate
Children First Foundation License Plate
New England Air Museum License Plate
Classic Vehicle License Plate
Gold Star Families License Plate
Military Order of the Purple Heart License Plate
University of New Haven License Plate
Central Connecticut State University License Plate

These specialty license plates cost $50 to $96 in addition to the standard registration charges, depending on the type you get. Keep in mind that these additional costs are required each time you renew your vehicle.

Lost Connecticut License Plates

If your license plates fall off or are stolen, you must apply for new license plates at the DMV in person.

There are a few steps to take to get your license plates replaced, such as filing a police report if your license plates were stolen or damaged on purpose. Be sure to bring an additional copy of the police report to the DMV.

When you arrive at the DMV, you’ll require the following:

Form E-159: Marker Plate Notice Form
Form B-301: Registration Affidavit Form
Copy of your police report
Certificate of registration
Proof of insurance
Surrender your old plates (if available)
$5 fee with a police report / $25 free without a police report

After submitting the appropriate documents, you can obtain a new set of license plates and a new number.

If you want to get your original plate number, you must first wait 10 months. Then you can submit form E-45: Replacement Application for Identical Plate, and submit any required fees online or by phone.

Transferring Your Connecticut License Plates

You are the owner of the license plates registered to your vehicle. If you sell, donate, or trade your vehicle, you have the option to keep or transfer your plates.

Transferring license plates from an old vehicle to your new vehicle invites a $21 fee when you register your new vehicle. If you want to transfer your license plate to another family member, please bring the following to the DMV:

Old registration
Vehicle title in family member’s name
Vehicle insurance in family member’s name
Proof of ID
Letter permitting family member to keep the plates
Form H-13B: Application for Certificate of Title
Transfer fee: $21
Record fee: $20
Payment for additional fees, taxes, etc.

Note: You can also put your plates on hold. If you sell your vehicle and want to use your plates for an upcoming purchase of a new vehicle that is not yet in your possession, go to the Connecticut DMV’s online service to place a hold.

Surrendering Your Connecticut License Plates

If you don’t want to keep possession of your license plates, you can surrender them to the DMV. You should also surrender your Connecticut license plates if you are moving out of state.

What You Pay for License Plates in Connecticut

The following fees apply to the registration of your license plate only. Any additional fees, such as service fees, emissions fees, or other fees, are not included.

2-Year Standard Plate Fees:

Vehicles: $80
Non-Commercial Trucks [up to 8500 lbs]: $80
Motorcycles: $42
Motorcycle with Sidecar: $60

How to look up Connecticut license plates

If you want to check for available license plates or get a history of a car based on its license plate (for those purchasing from dealers and private sellers), try this 100% free license plate lookup service.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to look up Connecticut License Plates and report bad drivers:

Open a web browser
Go to FindByPlate.com
Enter the plate number, and select state
View the report
View images submitted by the community
View videos submitted by the community
Add comments
Add pictures of the vehicle
Add videos related to the vehicle

Car Ownership in Connecticut

91.50% of households in Connecticut have at least one vehicle.
Connecticut ranks 42 in the United States in car ownership rate. Idaho and Wyoming have the highest car ownership rates while the District of Columbia has the lowest car ownership rate in the US.
Connecticut ranks 15 in the US for electric vehicle ownership. About 0.47% of all registered vehicles in Connecticut are electric vehicles.
Connecticut is ranked 29 in the list of most expensive states to own a car. It is the most expensive state for car repairs. The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Connecticut is $418. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Connecticut is $1,730 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a vehicle registration renewal due in Connecticut?

You will receive a reminder to renew your vehicle registration in the mail or in your email inbox 45 days before the expiration date. You can renew your vehicle registration online. If you wait more than 5 days after the expiration date, there will be a $10 late fee from day 6 onwards.

Why is the DMV denying my vehicle registration?

Some of the reasons why the DMV can deny vehicle registrations or vehicle registration renewals in Connecticut include unmet emissions testing requirements, lapses in insurance coverage, unpaid property taxes, or outstanding parking tickets.

How often is emissions testing required in Connecticut?

Unless your vehicle is exempt from emissions testing, you must get an emissions test done before registering your vehicle or renewing your vehicle’s registration in Connecticut. Vehicles must undergo emissions testing every 2 years. This can be done at authorized privately owned service facilities.

Some of the vehicles that are exempt from emissions testing in Connecticut include vehicles that are younger than 4 model years old, model year 1998 and older vehicles, vehicles with a gross weight more than 10,001 lbs, and fully electric powered vehicles.

What happens if my vehicle is not insured?

All vehicles registered in Connecticut must have liability insurance for you to legally drive the vehicle. If your vehicle insurance lapses, the DMV will send you a registration suspension notice. You can resolve this suspension by paying a $200 fine. You can also dispute the fine.

Can I order special Connecticut license plates online?

Yes, you can order special plates online in Connecticut as long as you have a vehicle with a valid Connecticut registration. You will need the following information when filling in the request form online:

Your Name, Date of Birth, and Driver’s License or ID number
Current Plate Number and Plate Class

Note: You cannot order 1, 2, and 3-digit plates online regardless of the type of license plate. Also, you cannot edit your order or ask for a refund once you place an order.

How to sell a vehicle without a title in Connecticut?

If you have a vehicle registered in Connecticut and don’t have a title for your vehicle, to sell your vehicle to another individual, you need to sign and give Form H6B (Application for Replacement Certificate of Title) and Form Q-1 (Supplemental Assignment of Ownership). These forms are available at your local Connecticut DMV office.

You will also need a lien release letter on the letterhead of the lienholder, if applicable.

If you are using Form H6B instead of a title, it will invite an additional $25 fee for the issuance of the duplicate title at the time of transferring your vehicle to a new owner.

Lookup by license plate and report bad drivers