Want a new WA license plate? Drivers can choose from pickleball, bees and more
Want a new look for your car? Drivers in Washington state will soon have access to all seven new special license plate designs.
It will be the last wave of new license plate designs until 2029, according to legislation approving the new designs.
The standard license plate in Washington features a light blue silhouette of Mount Rainier, with the words “Evergreen State” in red lettering on the bottom.
In contrast, the state’s latest license plate designs feature Smokey Bear, pickleball and more.
Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, the Washington State Department of Licensing issued 971,638 license plates.
Of these, 1,301 featured special designs and personalized messages, the state licensing department said.
Here’s which designs are being added to the license plate lineup, how to get one and how much it’ll cost:
Why is Washington getting new specialty license plates?
Washington State Senate Bill 5444 authorized the creation of several new special license plates to raise money for various causes and initiatives.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law in May.
Except for special license plates created under the act, the state Department of Licensing isn’t allowed to “issue any new special license plates until Jan, 1, 2029,” SB 5444 states.
What do new license plates look like?
On Nov. 1, the Washington State Department of Licensing released the first new license plate design: a throwback design featuring a simple black background with white characters reading “Washington” near the top.
The straightforward design recalls the kind of license plate used in Washington state in the early 20th century, according to Christine Anthony with the DOL’s communications team.
It’s available now for drivers in Washington state.
New license plate designs include Smokey Bear, bees
The state Department of License plans to make six additional designs available to drivers in the coming months.
Anthony said release dates for those special license plate designs have been delayed due to either contract or design details still in the works.
Soon, Washington drivers will have the following options for license plate designs:
- Pickleball state sport
- Smokey Bear
- Mount St. Helens
- Honeybees and pollinators
- LeMay-America’s Car Museum
- Keep Washington Evergreen
When can I get a pickleball license plate in Washington state?
The Pickleball State Sport license plate is expected to be available around Wednesday, Nov. 19, as it passes its final stages of programming, according to Anthony.
Proceeds from the special plate design will go toward the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association “for the construction and maintenance of pickleball courts,” Anthony told the Tri-City Herald.
Pickleball fans have two opportunities to get the special license plate early, according to association vice president Kate Van Gent.
The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association is hosting a raffle for the plate through Saturday, Nov. 15, and a statewide auction is being hosted through Monday, Nov. 17.
When will Mount St. Helens, museum plates be available?
The Washington State Department of Licensing doesn’t have exact dates for when the remaining special license plates will be available, but officials said they’re expected to be released in the coming months.
According to Anthony, the Smokey Bear license plate design is “on hold awaiting contract finalization.”
When released, proceeds from the Smokey Bear license plate will go toward the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ wildfire prevention programs.
The Mount St. Helens plate is currently being redesigned, Anthony said.
Proceeds from that special license plate will “promote education, stewardship and science at Mount St. Helens,” Anthony said.
The Washington Honeybees and Pollinators plate design has passed testing, according to Anthony.
Proceeds from the design go toward research, educational activities and related materials through the Washington State Beekeepers Association.
According to Anthony, the LeMay-America’s Car Museum plate design just passed testing and will be available soon.
Proceeds from the car museum license plate will help fund “education and job training related to automobiles,” Anthony said.
The Keep Washington Evergreen design is on hold amid contract negotiations, Anthony said.
However, Anthony said the license plate will feature green lettering on a white background, similar to a Washington state plate used in the 1970s. Proceeds will support electric charging stations.
The state licensing department did not share photos of those plates due to their ongoing finalization.
How do I get a license plate with a special design?
You can purchase a Washington state license plate with a special design by completing an application.
Opt for a specialty plate with randomly assigned characters, or fully personalize your license plate with a custom message.
You can use this website to test if your customization is available.
Once you’ve decided on your plate, fill out this Special Interest License Plate Application and mail it in with payment.
How much do special license plates cost in Washington?
The cost of special license plates depends on your vehicle, if the license plate is customized and the specific design you chose.
The new special license plates come with an initial fee of $40, plus the registration necessary for new plates.
Total costs come to $157.23 for cars and trucks, $75.25 for motorcycles and $105.25 for trailers.
If you chose a custom message, the cost of the license plate increases to $209.25 for cars and trucks, $157.25 for trailers and $127.25 for motorcycles.
Renewing a special license plate costs $30 each year.
If your tabs expire in the next six months, you can save money by renewing your tabs and ordering new plates at the same time.
Renewing your license plate early will allow you to skip the first year of renewal fees, the DOL said on its website.
You’ll instead pay $30 for specialty plates or $52 for personalized plates.
This story was originally published November 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Want a new WA license plate? Drivers can choose from pickleball, bees and more."