What is a License Plate Replacement in Utah?
License plate replacement occurs outside the standard renewal cycle when the original is lost, stolen, destroyed, or becomes too faded to read. The Utah Division of Motor Vehicles processes replacements through a separate fee schedule, distinct from the annual registration renewal fees.
- Utah assigns a new plate number with each replacement. The previous number is not retained unless the owner has a personalized plate and pays the personalized plate fees to keep the same characters (Utah Code § 41-1a-403(3)(d)).
- Utah issues one rear plate per vehicle. A second plate is available for an additional fee during replacement, as noted on the Utah DMV’s plate replacement page.
- Conditions prompting replacement include loss, theft, physical damage, fading, or illegibility of the plate, surrender after moving from another state, or mismatch with the vehicle class.
When Do You Need to Replace Your Utah License Plate?
Owners must act promptly when a plate is lost or becomes illegible. Utah Code § 41-1a-415 uses the word “immediately,” with no specified number of days.
- Lost or stolen plates: apply for a replacement without delay. The Utah DMV does not require a police report to process a replacement, though filing a report is recommended for stolen plates.
- Plates that have faded, peeled, or changed color to the point of illegibility must be replaced. The statute sets a readability standard at 100 feet (Utah Code § 41-1a-403). Plates less than five years old that fail this test are considered to have a manufacturing defect, and no replacement fee is charged.
- Vehicles moving to Utah must be registered within 60 days of the owner establishing residency (Utah Code § 41-1a-202(3)(a)).
- A plate that no longer matches the vehicle class (e.g., a passenger plate on a reclassified commercial vehicle) also prompts replacement.
How to Get a Replacement License Plate in Utah
Three channels serve replacement requests. Gather your current registration or plate number and valid ID before beginning.
- Online: The Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP) handles most plate replacement orders. You will confirm the plate number, VIN, and current address. The new plate is mailed. OHV tank plates cannot currently be replaced online.
- In person: Visit any Utah DMV office statewide. Bring a copy of your latest registration, plate number, or VIN. DMV offices in all 29 counties accept walk-ins, though some prioritize appointments.
- If the damaged plate is still in your possession, surrender it at the office. A police report is not required for application, as noted in the conditions prompting replacement section.
- By mail: Send a written request with a copy of the registration certificate and a check or money order payable to the Utah State Tax Commission (USTC) to Motor Vehicle Division, P.O. Box 30412, Salt Lake City, UT 84130. Do not send cash.
Can You Replace Utah License Plate Online?
Yes. Utah accepts plate replacements online through the Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP) at mvp.tax.utah.gov. The portal covers standard, personalized, special group, motorcycle, and trailer plates. OHV tank plates are an exception; they require an in-person visit.
The portal requests the plate number or VIN, verifies registration, and processes payment. The replacement plate, sticker, and updated registration are mailed. Each fee listed on the Utah DMV’s plate replacement page includes mailing costs.
When online replacement is unavailable, any DMV office processes the transaction in person. The mail route requires:
- A written replacement request identifying the vehicle by plate number or VIN.
- A copy of the current registration certificate.
- Payment by check or money order (no cash) to the Utah State Tax Commission, sent to P.O. Box 30412, Salt Lake City, UT 84130.
If the MVP portal can process your plate type, use it; otherwise, visit a DMV office.
How Much is License Plate Replacement in Utah?
The replacement fee is a flat amount per plate, bundling the plate, sticker, registration, and mailing costs into one figure. A second plate adds an additional fee to any category below.
- Standard and personalized plates: $18.75 per plate, the most common replacement transaction.
- Special group plates (standard and personalized): $23.75, reflecting a higher base cost for special designs.
- Motorcycle plates (standard and personalized): $12.25.
- Trailer plates cost $17.75, and OHV tank plates cost $9.50 (in person only).
- Plates that fail the 100-foot readability test due to a manufacturing defect are replaced free of charge according to Utah Code § 41-1a-403(3)(c). Plates five years old or older have a presumption against defect.
- Replacement stickers cost $5.00 for vehicles, separate from a full plate replacement (Utah DMV’s decal replacement page).
- Duplicate registration certificates cost $4.00. Utah does not impose additional county fees on replacement transactions.