If you intend to own a vehicle in Alaska, you must register it at the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

After you purchase a new vehicle, you can use temporary tags to drive until you register and obtain new license plates.

All passenger vehicles in Alaska are required to display one licence plate at the back of the vehicle. The licence plate must have month and year tabs. Commercial vehicles weighing more than 10,001 lbs are required to display the licence plate at the front of the vehicle.

Sample Alaska License Plate

Types of License Plates in Alaska

There are different types of standard or personalized plates to choose from in Alaska:

Standard plates

Standard gold
Grizzly Bear
Supporting the Arts

Personalized Plates

Mountain
Caribou

Note:

The standard plates cost $0 when you register your vehicle for the first time (the vehicle registration fee includes standard plates and tabs).
The replacement fee for standard plates is $5.
Personalized plates cost $30.
You can order and personalize your Alaska plates online on the DMV website.

Plates to Support a Cause

Veterans Commemorative $100
Alaska Children’s Trust $100
Blood Bank of Alaska $50
National Rifle Association $50
Breast Cancer Awareness $50
Support Our Troops $40
Choose Life $30
Pro-Family, Pro-Choice $30

Plates to Support Alaska Universities

You can get a plate to support the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast, and Prince William Sound Community College for $50 each

Military Service Designator Plates for Veterans

You can get submit proof of service and obtain Alaska licence plates that designate your military service, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. You can also get a special licence plate for the Alaska National Guard with proof of current membership. These plates cost $30.

Special Plates for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors

Former prisoners of war, Gold Star Families, Pearl Harbor survivors, and Purple Heart recipients can obtain special plates by submitting proof. These special Alaska licence plates cost $0. Laos vets can obtain special plates for $30 by submitting proof of service.

Alaska Licence Plates for Members of Fraternal Organizations

You can submit proof of membership and obtain special Alaska Licence Plates for the International Association of Fire Fighters, Freemason, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, and Pioneers of Alaska. These plates are $50.

Special Issue Alaska Licence Plates

Amateur Radio (Call Sign): $0
Historic Vehicle: $10
In God We Trust: $30
Celebrating the Arts: $30
Firefighter/EMS: $30
Custom Collector: $50
Iditarod Finisher: $50
Farm Vehicle: $68

Car Ownership in Alaska

90.80% of households in Alaska have at least one vehicle.
Alaska ranks 45 in the United States in car ownership rate. Idaho and Wyoming have the highest car ownership rates while the District of Columbia has the lowest car ownership rate in the US.
Alaska ranks 28 in the US for electric vehicle ownership. Only 0.23% of all registered vehicles in Alaska are electric vehicles. California has the highest EV ownership nationwide (1.61%).
Alaska ranks 5th in the list of most expensive states in the US to own a car. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Alaska is $2,323 per year. The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Alaska is $387.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Alaskan license plates if I am visiting the state?

If you’re traveling to Alaska, you can drive through the state for up to 60 days with out-of-state license plates. If you establish residency in Alaska, you are required to register your vehicle within 10 days.

If you live in Alaska, you're required to register your vehicle and obtain the correct state plates within 30 days of the purchase. Remember, to legally drive your car, you need temporary plates when going from a dealership to the DMV.

Where to apply for an Alaskan license plate?

There are many remote locations throughout Alaska. People who live more than 50 miles from a DMV location can register, renew, and apply for plates by mail. People living within 50 miles of a DMV office must visit in person to register their vehicle and apply for their plates.

What to bring when registering an Alaska license plate?

When you’re applying for an Alaskan license plate in person, be sure to bring the following:

Form 812 completed (Title & Registration Application Form)
Photocopy of vehicle title (including liens, if applicable)
Photocopy of notarized power of attorney (for leased vehicles or signing on behalf of someone else)
Completed Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection
Payment for all fees

How much do standard Alaska license plates cost?

The registration fee for a new vehicle includes standard plates and tabs.

How do I get personalized or special Alaska license plates?

You can order personalized or special license plates in Alaska on the DMV website. If the plate requires supporting documentation, you will need to submit form 803 and the documents online, by mail, or in person at the nearest DMV office.

What should I do if my Alaska license plate was stolen, lost, or damaged?

If your Alaskan license plate gets stolen or lost, immediately inform local law enforcement authorities. While you are not required by law to report stolen plates, doing so can protect you if the stolen plates are abused by someone.

Afterward, you can apply for replacements by visiting the DMV in person or sending an application by mail. Replacement of standard plates costs $5. If you want to replace a personalized plate that has been stolen, lost, or damaged, you will need to pay the cost (same as the initial price).

Can I get a sample Alaska license plate?

The Alaska DMV does not sell used license plates. But you can purchase sample Alaska plates (four designs, $10 each) for your collection or school project.

What are the DMV rules for custom plates with a unique design?

Cannot duplicate vanity plates
Cannot use ham radio signs
Cannot use special characters [#, $, &, etc.]
Cannot use offensive messages or words

You can apply for a special plate by checking off the box and paying the associated fees. If you want to see which names are available for your custom plate, you can use the free license plate search tool on FindByPlate.com.

Can I transfer my Alaskan plates to another vehicle in Alaska?

You cannot transfer standard Alaska license plates. When you purchase a new vehicle, you will have to get a new set of plates. If you sell your vehicle, the license plates will go with that vehicle. However, you can transfer a personalized Alaska licence plate or any specialized plate made for your vehicle.

Where do I surrender license plates in Alaska?

If you change your license plates, you are required to surrender the old plates to your local DMV office in person or by mail.

Can I get a refund for Alaskan plates?

If you have to leave Alaska during the vehicle registration process, you can apply for a refund. Not all situations will be eligible for a refund, but to see if you can get your money back, you have to fill out the Customer Refund Request. Your case will be reviewed and they will respond as soon as possible.

General Information on Vehicle Registration

Cost of Vehicle Registration in Alaska

When you're registering your vehicle, you are expected to pay a fee based on the weight of your vehicle and the type of license plates you want. The costs of vehicle registration in Alaska are as follows:

Non-Commercial Vehicle Registration Fees

Tour Buses: $300
Taxicabs: $160
Passenger, MH, Truck and Cargo Van: $100
Farm Vehicles: $68
Motorcycles: $60
Trailers: $30

Commercial Vehicle Registration Fees

0-5,000 pounds: $180
5,000-12,000 pounds: $268
12,000-18,000 pounds: $516
18,001 pounds and over: $662
Trailers: $20 (one-time fee)

Renewal of Vehicle Registration in Alaska

Every vehicle is assigned an expiration date when it is first registered. This is retained when ownership of the vehicle changes.

If a vehicle registration has been expired for less than a full year, the full biennial fee is charged starting with the month when the registration expired. This is the case even if you’ve just purchased the vehicle and the previous owner allowed the registration to expire or the vehicle remained parked during the expiry period.
If a vehicle registration has been expired for more than a year or the previous owner was exempt from registration fees, then the registration starts over when you renew it.

Documents Required for Vehicle Registration Renewal in Alaska

Copy of the last registration
Vehicle Transaction Application (Form 812)
Current LES with Alaska as home state if you are military
Personal check or money order for fees
Self-addressed envelope for the registration and tab

The easiest, quickest, and least expensive way to renew a vehicle registration in Alaska is online. If you do it in person at DMV offices, there is a $10 walk-in fee. By mail, the process can take 6 weeks, so you should allow enough time.

How to look up Alaska license plates?

If you want to get more information about a vehicle, such as obtaining a vehicle history report before purchasing, you can use this free license plate search tool. This tool allows you to search for available license plate numbers, review a car’s history, and find other information about the plate or vehicle associated with it (including stats, facts, and figures). Here is a step-by-step guide on how to look up Alaska License Plates and report bad drivers:

Open a web browser
Go to FindByPlate.com
Enter the plate number and select state
View the report
View images submitted by the community
View videos submitted by the community
Add comments
Add pictures of the vehicle
Add videos related to the vehicle

Lookup by license plate and report bad drivers