In New Jersey, if you want a personal plate, you have to pay the state extra to make it for you. This is from the State of New Jersey web site:
Personalized and Specialty Plates
Personalized/Vanity Plates
Personalized plates, also known as vanity plates, are a great way to stand out from the crowd―not to mention entertain other motorists. Within reason and good taste, you can choose a letter and number combination that individualizes your ride.
A personalized plate must have at least 3 letters and a maximum of 7 characters (letters and numbers). You may put your name or a message on your plate for a fee of $50, plus the regular registration fee
Now, if I want a plate to say: "FRANKIE", I have to pay the regular registration fee plus $50. Also, this plate must not already exist or be in use by another car registered in the state. You must have a different system there for a plate to cost over 40,000 pounds. How and why is your system different? Who gets all that money? Frankie