In North Carolina, residents must register their vehicles with the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Any new or out-of-state vehicle must obtain plates for North Carolina within 30 days.

Various plate types are issued, such as standard, disability, specialty, and personalized license plates.

Sample North Carolina License Plate

Types of License Plates in North Carolina

Residents in North Carolina must register their vehicles with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

There are various license plates that can be issued, such as:

Standard license plates
Specialty license plates demonstrating allegiance to a specific organization
Disability license plates and placards
Personalized license plates with your choice of numbers and letters

People registering their vehicle with the DMV will be issued standard plates for cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, and trailers.

It is possible to obtain specialty plates with the unique design of a charity, organization, occupation, or cause. There are certain requirements and additional fees for these license plates.

People with disabilities who want to receive disability plates or placards in NC are required to submit medical documentation. Disability license plates in North Carolina are issued to:

People with permanent disabilities
People with temporary disabilities
Military veterans with disabilities

Most license plates available in North Carolina can be personalized with a unique plate number.

Applying for License Plates in North Carolina

All residents must apply for license plates in the state of North Carolina if:

They purchase a new vehicle
They move to North Carolina with an out-of-state vehicle

New residents have 30 days to register their out-of-state vehicle.

If you are purchasing a vehicle from a dealership, the dealership may be able to help with the registration of the vehicle. They will provide temporary plates that allow you to drive legally while your registration is being processed.

When buying a vehicle from a private seller, you must obtain temporary plates from the DMV or local dealership. Temporary plates are valid for 30 days and cannot be renewed.

Specialty License Plates in North Carolina

There are a variety of unique and elegantly designed license plates provided by the state of North Carolina. The following are a few examples of specialty plates that can be registered:

Military License Plates. Issued to those with proof of enrollment or with discharge papers from the U.S. Military. Examples of license plates:
- Ex-POW Plates
- Purple Heart Plates
- Vietnam War Veteran Plate
Collegiate License Plates. Issued to those who want to show their support for a state college, university, sorority, or fraternity. Examples of license plates:
- Duke University Plates
- Purdue University Plates
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Plates
Sporting License Plates. Issued to those who want specialty plates with their favorite teams or sports. Examples of license plates:
- NASCAR Plates
- NHL Plates
- NFL Plates
Organizational & Causes Plates. Issued to those who wish to show their support to a local or national organization, charity or cause. Examples of license plates:
- Ducks Unlimited Plates
- Support Our Troops Plates
- Litter Prevention Plates

These are just a few examples of the specialty plates available in North Carolina. Contact a North Carolina DMV for more information about specialty plates, pricing, and eligibility.

Personalized License Plates in North Carolina

Most standard, specialty, and disability license plates can be personalized in North Carolina. Applicants are required to follow these guidelines when applying for personalized license plates:

Use the appropriate number of characters
- Up to 8 characters for passenger vehicles
- Up to 7 characters for motorcycles
- Up to 4 characters for special plates
Cannot duplicate a license already registered
Do not use profanity or inappropriate suggestions

Registering and renewing specialty license plates cost $30. Available plate numbers should be checked in advance before applying.

Transferring License Plates in North Carolina

It is possible to transfer license plates from a previous vehicle to a new vehicle only if the vehicle is registered in the same name. It is not possible to transfer license plates to the person purchasing a vehicle from another person.

When transferring license plates, it is necessary to do the following at a DMV office in North Carolina:

Register the new vehicle
Provide title certification for the new vehicle
Provide proof of insurance
Pay the transfer fees: $20

Replacement License Plates in North Carolina

If license plates are lost, stolen, or damaged, they must be replaced from the DMV immediately.

In addition to the application forms and documents required to apply for replacements, the fees are:

Replacement License Plates: $21.50 per plate
Notary Fees: Varies by location

Although a police report is not required if license plates in North Carolina are stolen, filing a police report helps to prevent their abuse and misuse.

Surrendering License Plates in North Carolina

It may be required to surrender license plates if:

The vehicle’s insurance is cancelled
A person moves out of state
A vehicle is sold and plates are not transferred to a new vehicle
License plates are damaged and replacements are ordered

License plates can be surrendered either in person or mailed to a DMV office.

Renewing License Plates in North Carolina

Before the registration of a vehicle expires, it is mandatory to renew it. Renewal can be done in person, by mail, or online.

Upon receiving new decals, they can be placed over the old decals. Vehicles should be renewed before the date expires, in order to avoid any late fees.

Looking Up License Plates for Free

Available license plate numbers can be found using the search engine above. Simply enter the plate number for the state of North Carolina, and the results will reveal whether a plate is available or not.

FindByPlate can also be used to obtain some historic and background information about the vehicle registered to a license plate.

Car Ownership in North Carolina

North Carolina ranks number 14 in the US for the highest rate of car ownership. The top spots go to Idaho and Wyoming (tied).
94.50% of households in North Carolina have at least one vehicle. Idaho and Wyoming (the top-ranking states) have 96.20% of households with at least one vehicle. The District of Columbia has the lowest vehicle ownership rate at 64.30%.
North Carolina ranks 22 (tied with New Hampshire) for electric vehicle ownership. Approximately 0.29% of all registered vehicles in North Carolina are electric vehicles. California has the most electric vehicles (1.61%), followed by Hawaii (1.32%). Mississippi and North Dakota have the fewest electric vehicles (0.05%).
North Carolina ranks 35 in the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US. California and Nevada are the most expensive and Ohio is the least expensive state to own a car.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in North Carolina is $1,307.
North Carolina is the 5th most expensive state for car repairs. The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in North Carolina is $402.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does North Carolina have 1 or 2 license plates?

North Carolina has one license plate that is displayed on the rear of the vehicle. It is one of the rugged 19 states that don’t require front license plates.

How much is a license plate in North Carolina?

When you register a vehicle in North Carolina, you’ll have to pay the following fees:

Certificate of Title Fee: $56
Highway Use Tax: 3% of the vehicle’s value, not exceeding $250 for new residents who have moved to North Carolina
Standard License Plate Fee (for a private passenger vehicle): $38.75
County Registration Tax: $1-$8
Notary Fees: Range from $2 to $9

Note: Electric Vehicles invite an additional fee of $140.25 in addition to the vehicle registration fee.

What is the most popular license plate in North Carolina?

Standard license plates are the most popular in North Carolina. Of the three designs in standard NC license plates, the version that says First in Flight is the most popular. It has been around for over four decades and commemorates the Wright Brothers’ first flight.

Can you renew vehicle registrations online in North Carolina?

You can renew your vehicle registration online in North Carolina on the DMV website. You will need your vehicle license plate number and the last five digits of your vehicle’s title number. There is a $3 transaction fee for renewing online through a service called PayIt. If you don’t want to pay the transaction fee, you can visit an NCDMV license plate agency office or send in your renewal to the address mentioned on the renewal notice.

Does North Carolina issue inspection stickers?

The NCDMV does not issue inspection stickers. However, they keep an electronic record of your vehicle’s inspections. All motor vehicles in North Carolina must pass a yearly safety inspection before the registration is renewed. The due date for the inspection is within 90 days of renewing the vehicle’s registration. During the inspection, a licensed mechanic will examine your vehicle’s headlights, brakes, signals, windows, steering, and tires. If you fail to get your vehicle inspected, the registration will be blocked until you complete the inspection.

Note: 19 counties in North Carolina require an additional emissions inspection which can be done at the same time as the safety inspection.

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