What Are Custom License Plates in Prince Edward Island?
Custom license plates in Prince Edward Island, also known as personalized or vanity plates, are specialty license plates that display a unique combination of letters and numbers chosen by the vehicle owner instead of the standard randomly assigned characters. These plates allow drivers to express their individuality and creativity in their vehicles.
The Prince Edward Island Department of Transportation and Infrastructure oversees the custom license plate program, ensuring that all personalized plates meet provincial standards and regulations.
Are Custom License Plates Legal in Prince Edward Island?
Yes, custom license plates are legal in Prince Edward Island. The province's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure officially sanctions and regulates the issuance of personalized license plates as part of its vehicle registration services.
The legality of custom plates is subject to compliance with specific guidelines and regulations set forth by the provincial government. There are restrictions on what content can be displayed on custom plates. Offensive, suggestive, or derogatory phrases are prohibited, as are configurations that could be confused with other types of plates, like veteran or government vehicle plates.
How Can I Get a Personalized License Plate in Prince Edward Island?
Personalized license plates (vanity plates) are available for passenger vehicles in Prince Edward Island, including motorcycles. You can apply for a personalized license plate in one of the following ways:
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Online Application: You can use the online application form to apply for a personalized plate directly. Before submitting, ensure your desired message complies with the approval criteria and does not conflict with an existing plate. You can check plate availability by contacting the Registrar of Motor Vehicles at 1-833-734-1873.
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In-Person at Access PEI: If you purchase a personalized plate as a gift for someone else or prefer to apply in person, you can visit an Access PEI location to complete the application process.
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Requirements for Application:
- Identity and contact details, including your date of birth
- Driver’s license number
- Plate type (passenger vehicle or motorcycle)
- Plate size (5x8 for passenger vehicles or 4x7 for motorcycles)
- Proposed personalized message (you can submit three options in order of preference)
- Payment of $100 plus HST for the plate
Messages deemed offensive or inappropriate by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, such as those related to violence, discrimination, or political opinion, will be denied.
- Processing Time:
Once your application is approved, please allow up to 8 weeks to receive your personalized license plate.
How Much Does a Custom License Plate Cost in Prince Edward Island?
The cost of a personalized license plate in Prince Edward Island is:
- $100 for the initial purchase
- $100 for the annual renewal in addition to your regular vehicle registration fee
The initial purchase fee includes the personalized plate and the first year of displaying it. The plate remains valid as long as you renew it each year with your vehicle registration.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Custom Plate in Prince Edward Island?
After your application has been approved, it typically takes up to 8 weeks to receive a custom (personalized) license plate in Prince Edward Island. The processing time accounts for the approval of the requested message and the plate's production.
Once approved, the personalized plate will be mailed to you or made available for pickup at the Access PEI location you selected during the application process.
What Is Required to Order a Custom License Plate in Prince Edward Island?
To successfully order a personalized plate in Prince Edward Island, you'll need:
- A vehicle registered in your name in the province
- A completed Personalized Number Plates Application form
- Payment for the initial custom plate fee
- A plate configuration that meets provincial content guidelines
Your requested lettering must fit within the 7-character limit, including spaces and punctuation. The characters must also be reproducible on a license plate in Prince Edward Island's standard font. You'll also need to provide a meaning for your configuration on the form to aid in the approval process.
What Types of Custom License Plates Are Available in Prince Edward Island?
Prince Edward Island offers several categories of custom license plates, including:
- Personalized Graphic
- Personalized Plain
- Passenger Veteran
- Passenger Conservation with Lady
- Slipper
- Passenger Conservation with Animals
- Passenger Paramedic
- Passenger Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
- Ground Search and Rescue Version
- Passenger Amateur Radio
- Motorcycle Personalized Plain
- Motorcycle Firefighter
- Passenger Volunteer Firefighter
What Is Prohibited From Being Displayed on Custom License Plates in Prince Edward Island?
Prince Edward Island prohibits personalized plate configurations that are:
- Content that promotes violence shows discrimination or displays bias against any person or group due to race, ethnicity, place of origin, colour, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital or family status, or disability;
- Material that violates Canadian Advertising Standards; Activities that are illegal or prohibited by law;
- References to the use of alcohol or drugs;
- Messages with religious content;
- Anything that disrupts public peace or interferes with law enforcement; Language that is abusive, offensive, obscene, or vulgar; References with a sexual nature; Political messages that negatively target or criticize government programs;
- References to public figures and well-known individuals, including government officials or dignitaries.
The Registrar of Motor Vehicles determines whether a particular plate choice is approved or rejected based on these guidelines.
Can I Sell My Personalized License Plate on Prince Edward Island?
The sale of personalized license plates between private individuals is not permitted in Prince Edward Island. Custom plates are considered the province's property and are associated with specific vehicles and owners.
If a vehicle owner no longer wishes to use their personalized plate, they must surrender it to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. The plate configuration may then become available for other applicants to request.