Here you’ll find information about registering your vehicle, applying for license plates, and renewing your stickers in North Dakota.

Sample North Dakota License Plate

Applying for North Dakota License Plates

Whether you own a car, truck, van, or ATV, you are expected to register your vehicle in North Dakota. License plates are issued by the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and you have to apply in person.

You are required to apply for a license plate if:

You purchase a new vehicle
You are a new resident in North Dakota

You cannot keep your out-of-state license plates if you become a resident of North Dakota. Some states may require you to surrender your old plates before you can obtain new ones.

If you purchase a new vehicle, you are permitted to drive it for up to 5 days before registering it. In case you are pulled over, be sure to carry proof of ownership to avoid any fees or penalties.

If you need a temporary permit for your vehicle, you can obtain it from:

Law enforcement offices
Local dealerships
Motor vehicle offices

These temporary permits must be obtained in person and are valid for 30 days.

Types of License Plates in North Dakota

If you don’t require any kind of special license plate or personalization, you can register your plates and receive a randomly generated plate number. Your license plates will be issued using the standard plates for the state of North Dakota.

Alternatively, you can purchase specialty plates for:

Military Awards
Clubs & Organizations
Charities & Causes
University Alumni

These specialty license plates have added fees on top of the standard fees for registering your vehicle.

If you want to make your plates even more personalized, you can choose your own plate number. You are permitted to use only numbers and letters for these personalized plates.

To check if your personalized license plate number is available, look it up online.

Placement of License Plates in North Dakota

When you have finally received your license plates for North Dakota, you must place both plates, one on the front and one at the rear of your vehicle. If you have a motorcycle, you will only have one license plate to apply to the rear.

You must also place the decal stickers on the top right corner of your license plate. These stickers must be clearly visible, as they indicate when your license plates expire.

Renewing License Plates in North Dakota

You must renew your validation stickers before your license plate expires. Renewals are simple and straightforward. You can choose to renew your license plates online, by mail, or in person.

You can sign up to receive notifications from the NDDOT reminding you that your license plate will expire soon and that it's time to send money for renewal.

Replacing License Plates in North Dakota

License plates that are lost or stolen should be replaced immediately. Although you are not obliged to report stolen plates to the police, you should do so anyway. This prevents other people from using them illegally.

To obtain new plates, you must go to the NDDOT and do the following:

Complete Form SFN 2872: Application for Certificate of Title & Registration
Provide proof of insurance
Show a valid ID (driver’s license or passport)
Make the payment:
- License plate, registration card, & decal fee: $5
- Registration card & decal: $3

You cannot request the same plates if they have been stolen. For damaged plates, bring them in, fill out the necessary forms to replace them, and you can receive new plates with your old plate number.

Transfer Plates in North Dakota

If you no longer require your license plates, you can transfer them to someone else (with conditions). Here are the conditions for transferring your plates:

You can transfer license plates from an old car to a new car
You can transfer license plates to a spouse
You cannot transfer your plates to someone who buys your car

Additional fees may apply to transfer your plates. These could include taxes, services fees, and title fees.

Surrender Plates in North Dakota

You may have to surrender your license plates in North Dakota if you:

Move to new state or country
Apply for a new type of license plate (i.e., a specialty plate)
Cancel your vehicle’s insurance

Contact the NDDOT immediately if you are to surrender your license plates in North Dakota.

Fees for License Plates in North Dakota

There is a standard registration fee that applies to your vehicle’s registration with the NDDOT. These fees are based on your vehicle’s weight, year, and a few other variables. You’ll also have to pay the following:

Applicable taxes
Title fees
Service fees
New Plate Fees: determined by vehicle weight

Additional fees may be required such as when you are applying for personalized, disability, or specialty license plates. Remember, whenever you have to renew your vehicle, you must pay fees for these specialty plates in addition to the standard renewal rates.

Looking Up License Plates in North Dakota

One of the best ways to find out if a plate number is available is by looking up license plates online.

As long as you stay within the character limit for North Dakota’s personalized plates, you can find a unique combination of letters and numbers to express your personality.

Car Ownership in North Dakota

North Dakota ranks number 4 on the list of states with the most vehicles registered per 1,000 licensed drivers. There are 1643 vehicles registered in North Dakota per 1,000 drivers. The top three spots go to Montana (2,492 vehicles per 1,000 drivers), South Dakota (2,067 vehicles per 1,000 drivers), and Wyoming (2,015 vehicles per 1,000 drivers).
North Dakota saw the fifth largest decrease in motor vehicle registrations between 2017 and 2021. Vehicle registrations fell by nearly 13% during this timeframe. The biggest decrease was in the District of Columbia (65.5% drop).
North Dakota ranks 8 in the US on the list of highest rate of car ownership. The top spots go to Idaho and Wyoming (tied).
94.90% of households in North Dakota 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 Dakota ranks 50 (tied with Mississippi) for electric vehicle ownership. Only 0.05% of all registered vehicles in North Dakota are electric vehicles. California has the most electric vehicles (1.61%), followed by Hawaii (1.32%).
North Dakota ranks 38 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 Dakota is $1,319.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in North Dakota is $364.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Dakota a 2-plate state?

Yes, North Dakota is a 2 plate state. Most vehicles are required to place both front and rear plates. The exceptions are motorcycles and trailers which only require rear plates.

Do you keep your plates in North Dakota?

You keep your plates in North Dakota when you sell your vehicle. You can transfer the plates to a new vehicle or surrender them to the NDDOT. The buyer will need to pay a full year’s license fee when re-titling the vehicle.

Can I get a credit for my license plate when I sell my vehicle in North Dakota?

Yes, when you sell your vehicle in North Dakota, you can apply to get a credit for the unused months on your vehicle’s registration. These credits can be transferred to your new (replacement) vehicle. However, they will expire if you do not apply them towards a new registration before the expiration date on the plates. You cannot get a refund if the license plates are not transferred to a replacement vehicle. If the available credit exceeds the registration fee due for your new (replacement) vehicle, the balance cannot be used in subsequent years and will be lost. No refunds are possible.

Can a non-resident register a car in North Dakota?

A non-resident who is employed in North Dakota can obtain a temporary registration for their motor vehicle. This is issued for either 6 months or 1 year to passenger cars, pickups, motorcycles, and truck/tractors. The temporary permit is valid only if there is a current registration in the home state. It costs $60 (6-month fee) or $120 (12-month fee) to obtain a temporary registration for a passenger car, plus a $10 permit fee.

How much is vehicle registration in North Dakota?

The fee for vehicle registration in North Dakota depends on the weight of the vehicle and the year it was first registered (not the year model). For passenger cars registered in 2019 or later, the fee is as follows (for 12 months):

Up to 3,199 lbs: $73
3,200 – 4,499: $93
4,500 – 4,999: $111
5,000 – 5,999: $142
6,000 – 6,999: $175
7,000 – 7,999: $208
8,000 – 8,999: $241
9,000 and over: $274

Older vehicles invite lower fees.

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