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License Plate Descriptions

Colorado issues several different types of license plates.

Passenger Vehicles: includes cars, station wagons, utility vehicles such as Broncos or Blazers, motor homes, and vans which have been converted to camping vehicles.

Personalized Plates: are issued to cars and pickups and are available in two designs - regular and designer. The fees for these plates are identified on the Personalized License Plate Application. This cost is in addition to the initial one time fee of $50.00 in addition to the registrations fees. Additional requirements are listed on the application. Personalized License Plate Applications may be obtained at any one of our motor vehicle locations in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park, or by clicking here DR 2810 - Personalized License Plates Application.

Pickup and Truck Plates: are issued depending upon the weight and use of the vehicle. Trucks weighing between 4500 and 6500 pounds must be weighed before the plates are purchased, unless a Colorado title has been issued. If a truck is used exclusively on FARM business, a farm plate is issued. Recreational vehicles that weigh less than 6500 pounds may be issued recreational plates, but the cost is the same as the state truck plate.

Persons with Disabilities Plates: are issued to a vehicle when an individual is disabled. This plate or placard enables the driver to park in the specially marked parking zones. The fee for plates is the same as a regular plate. The placards are issued for a three year period at no charge. To obtain a placard for disabled parking privileges, please have your physician complete a DR 2219 - Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Application. This form is available by clicking here DR 2219 - Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges , or by visiting either of our three branch locations.

Once your physician has completed the application, it may be mailed to our office, or you may personally bring the application to one of our three branch locations. To obtain a disability license plate, you bring the application form which includes a doctor's verification of your handicap, to any one of our branch locations. Click here for more information on disability plates, or click here for DR 2219 - Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges

Trailer Plates: are issued to camping trailers, semi-trailers, horse trailers, and other kinds of trailers. Any trailer which is used on the streets or highways is required to be titled and licensed. Click here for more information on homemade trailers.

Motorcycle Plates: are issued to motorcycles.

Special Mobile Machinery Plates: are issued to cranes, fork lifts, caterpillars, and other kinds of equipment. Off-highway tabs are issued for off-highway equipment that is mounted to a truck or trailer chassis or equipment that is hauled. Click here for DR 2221 - Application for Special Mobile Equipment Plates.

Ham Radio Plates: are issued to a vehicle when the owner is an Amateur Radio Operator. Applications for this type of plate are available at our office and should be sent to the Registration Division of the Colorado State Department of Revenue, 1881 Pierce St., Denver, CO 80261. The fee is $7.00 for the application. We will then issue the license plate at our office, for the regular license plate charge.

Horseless Carriage Plates: are available only at the Colorado Motor Vehicle Registration Division, 1881 Pierce St., Denver, CO 80261. A vehicle must be manufactured in 1942 or prior to carry antique plates. Application forms are available at our office.

Disabled Veteran Plates: are issued to qualified veterans with, generally, a 50% military service connected disability loss. These plates cannot be issued to a mobile home, motor home, or trucks other than pickups under 4500 pounds. The initial set of disabled veteran's plates are exempt from the license fee and the ownership tax, but are not exempt from the sales tax. Any subsequent sets issued are charged the regular fees.

To obtain disabled veteran plates, you must apply for title to the vehicle in the County where you live and then submit a copy of the application for title, with a copy of your veteran disability confirmation, to the Colorado Motor Vehicle Registration Division, 1881 Pierce St., Denver, CO 80261, for license plates.

Honorable Discharged Veteran Plates: are issued to Honorably Discharged Veterans. A DD 214 - Military Discharge Form, or other military certificate or documentation is required to verify the individual was discharged honorably. Plates are issued in our office and may only be issued to the following vehicles: Passenger, Light Truck, Recreational Truck, and Farm Trucks. Fees: Regular fees are assessed with a $50.00 one time fee per plate request.

Former Prisoner of War Plates: are issued to former prisoner of war veterans. Applicants must complete form DR 2502 - Application for Prisoner of War - and submit it along with a letter from the Veterans Administration stating the applicant served in the United States Armed Forces and was incarcerated by the enemy during a time of conflict, and a copy of the applicants Colorado title or registration to the Colorado Motor Vehicle Registration Division, 1881 Pierce St., Denver, CO 80261. Plates can only be issued to the following vehicles: Passenger, Light Truck, Recreational Truck, and Farm Trucks that do not exceed 6500 pounds. No fees are associated with this type of license plate issuance. Plates will be sent directly to the applicant from the State. Additional plates can also be obtained by writing a letter to the State requesting additional Former Prisoner of War Plates. The State will then send the additional plates to our office and we will contact you when they arrive. Fees will be assessed for any request for additional Former Prisoner of War license plates.

Air Force Commemorative Plates: Any individual can request the issuance of this plate. Plates can only be issued to the following vehicle types: Passenger, Light Truck, Motor Home, Farm Truck, and Recreational Truck. Regular fees are assessed as well as an additional one time fee of $50.00.

Farm Plates: are issued to applicants for vehicles used in conjunction with farming; requirements are listed on the application form DR 2159 - Application for Farm Plates. Farm plates are issued in our office and can only be issued to the following vehicles: Light Trucks, Semi Tractors and Semi Trucks.

Collector Plates: are issued to vehicles that are at least 25 years old. A one time emission test is required on vehicles that are 1960 or newer. Vehicles that are 1959 or older are exempt from emission testing. Plates can only be issued to the following vehicle types: Passenger, Light Truck, Semi-Truck, Semi-Truck Tractor. Collector plates can also be issued to trucks and truck-tractors that are at least 25 years old and the vehicle has an empty weight of 6,501 pounds or more OR a declared gross weight of 16,001 pounds or more. Vehicle must be use exclusively for non-commercial use. No application or additional fees required.