How to Create a Custom License Plate Number?
4 Answers
Below is the method for self-selecting and customizing a license plate number: 1. Prepare the required documents and items, then log in to the online self-selection system for motor vehicle license plate numbers. 2. Enter the motor vehicle and owner's proof information, confirm the accuracy of the information, select the number, which generally includes digits and letters, and print the pre-selection voucher. Below are the precautions for self-selecting and customizing a license plate number: 1. Online self-selection of license plate numbers is limited to new small car registrations; medium-sized vehicles and used cars are not yet eligible for online plate selection. 2. When entering information, citizens must select numbers according to the administrative region of their identity proof or unit. 3. The name and number on the resident identity card, unit organization code certificate, or overseas identity proof must be authentic and valid. When entering the vehicle identification number, English letters must be capitalized. 4. After the online selection system confirms the pre-selected license plate number, if the motor vehicle owner needs to register the plate on the same day, a laser printer must be used to print the selection voucher. 5. Once a self-selected motor vehicle license plate number is confirmed, it cannot be changed. The owner must complete the motor vehicle registration at the vehicle management office within three working days to officially confirm the license plate number. If the three-working-day deadline is exceeded, or if the pre-selected owner or vehicle information does not match the registration information at the vehicle management office, the pre-selected license plate number becomes invalid.
As a seasoned driver who often helps friends with license plates, I'm quite familiar with the self-selection process. Currently, some regions allow online self-selection of plate numbers through the 12123 Traffic Management APP. The general rules are: the first character must be a Chinese character representing the region, followed by five digits that can be a combination of letters and numbers (letters O and I are excluded). The key is to avoid popular combinations like triple digits (e.g., 666/888), which are already taken. I recommend using birthdays plus initials or special dates with plate abbreviations—these combinations are unique and less likely to be duplicated. Prepare 20 alternative numbers in advance for the system to match in order. Once selected, you must complete the registration at the DMV within three days. If you're slow at typing, there are online simulation systems to practice beforehand.
Last month, I just customized a license plate for our new car, so let me share some experience. The self-combination rules are actually quite flexible - you can use up to two letters among the five customizable positions, and these letters can be inserted anywhere between numbers. Avoid pure letter combinations as they often conflict with system-reserved plates. Try meaningful combinations instead: like the last three digits of your VIN plus your wife's initials, or your phone number's last digits plus zodiac symbols. The key is preparing multiple uncommon combinations to avoid popular numbers like 666/888. I stayed up until midnight on the traffic management app to grab a plate and noticed most numbers are released at 9 AM on weekdays. Eventually, I got my seventh backup choice - a combination of our wedding anniversary and child's birthday, which is much more meaningful than random numbers.
Getting a custom license plate requires some know-how. First, check the local numbering rules—some cities only allow numeric segments like 000-500. Avoid using B/T letter combinations as they can trigger sensitive word filters. The key is to split birthdays or anniversaries into numbers: for example, 521 becomes 5A21, and 318 becomes 3B18. Don’t just use sequential numbers; try interleaved combinations like AB12C for a higher chance of approval. After drafting, verify availability on the local DMV website—some numbers may already be taken. If stuck, use the vehicle model code: CRV owners can opt for CR prefixes, while X3 owners might try X3-number combos.
