Lookup
All vehicles must be registered with the Department of Revenue in Tennessee to allow them to be legally driven on the roads and highways in the state.
License plates can be obtained from the Department of Revenue offices in Tennessee.
Tennessee license plates must have valid decals on the rear plate. If a new vehicle is purchased, the plates can be transferred as long as the vehicle is under the same owner’s name.
All license plate types can be personalized with a custom plate number for an additional fee. It is advisable to look up available plate numbers in advance.
Sample Tennessee License Plate
Applying for License Plates in Tennessee
License plates can be obtained from the Department of Revenue offices in Tennessee.
If you are applying for a standard license plate, the following is required:
Proof that the vehicle is insured
Valid ID (e.g., Tennessee driver’s license)
Emissions test certificate
Title document
Lien document (if applicable)
Completed application forms
Payment for registration fees and taxes
Applications can be made in person at a DOR office in your county.
Types of License Plates in Tennessee
In addition to the standard license plate issued in the state of Tennessee, there are also other types of plates you can apply for:
Temporary License Plates
Specialty License Plates
Disability License Plates
Most license plates can be personalized with a custom plate number, as long as the DOR’s guidelines are followed.
Temporary License Plates in Tennessee
If you purchase a new vehicle from a dealership, the dealer should provide you with temporary license plates that you can use while your vehicle’s registration is being processed.
If you are buying a vehicle from a private seller, you must obtain temporary license plates from an authorized dealer.
Temporary license plates allow you to drive legally on Tennessee roads while you wait for your license plates to be issued. They cost $5.50 and are valid for only 30 days.
Specialty License Plates in Tennessee
There are more than 100 specialty plates available in Tennessee. If you want a license plate with a custom emblem or unique design, the following are a few of the specialty license plates available from the DOR in Tennessee:
Collegiate License Plates
Alpha Kappa Alpha Plates
Tennessee State University Plates
Clemson University Plates
Sporting License Plates
Nashville Predator Plates
Memphis Grizzly Plates
Tennessee Titans Plates
Military License Plates
Bronze Star Plates
Ex-Prisoner of War Plates
Vietnam Veteran Plates
Special Causes License Plates
Youth Villages Plates
Sportsmen’s Wildlife Foundation Plates
Driving For A Cure Plates
Occupational License Plates
EMT Plates
Firefighter Plates
Police Emblem Plates
Some specialty plates require additional documentation to prove your eligibility. These plates also incur an extra fee in addition to the regular registration or renewal fees required.
Contact your local DOR office for more information about the specialty plates available for your vehicle.
Disability License Plates in Tennessee
If you have a disability, and medical documentation to support it, you can apply for disability plates or placards in Tennessee.
Disability placards are issued to people with:
Temporary disabilities
Permanent disabilities
Disability license plates are issued to:
People with permanent disabilities
Veterans with disabilities
Vehicles that provide transportation to people with disabilities
Personalized License Plates in Tennessee
If you want to personalize your license plate, you must follow these guidelines from the DOR:
Use up to 7 characters (i.e., a combination of letters and numbers)
Do not use profanity
Must be available for registration
You can look up available plate numbers online. It is a good idea to provide multiple options in case your first choice is rejected or unavailable.
Transferring License Plates in Tennessee
If you purchase a new vehicle in Tennessee, you can transfer your license plates from a previous vehicle that you owned to your new vehicle as long as your name is on the title.
You’ll be required to pay a transfer fee when registering your new vehicle with your old license plates.
It is not possible to sell your license plates to the person who is buying your previous vehicle.
Surrendering License Plates in Tennessee
The Tennessee DOR requires you to surrender your license plates if you:
Cancel your vehicle’s insurance
Do not need your plate after selling your vehicle
Are no longer eligible for your disability plates
Move out of state
License plates can be surrendered by mailing or bringing them to a DOR office in Tennessee.
Lost, Damaged, or Stolen License Plates in Tennessee
If your license plates are lost, damaged, or stolen, you can apply for replacements from the DOR.
It is mandatory to submit a police report if your license plates were stolen.
You’ll be required to submit the following to the DOR to obtain replacement plates:
Copy of police report
Completed application form for lost, stolen, or damaged plates
Vehicle’s registration documents
Payment of replacement fees
Renewing License Plates in Tennessee
You must renew your license plates before your vehicle’s registration expires. You can do this by submitting the necessary documents or payments in person, by mail, or online.
When submitting your payment in the mail, do not use cash. Instead pay by check or money order made out to the DOR.
Summary of Fees for License Plates in Tennessee
The following fees may be required when you register your vehicle in Tennessee:
Standard Plates:
Fee: varies by vehicle type and weight
Temporary Plates: $5.50
Specialty Plates:
Memphis Grizzly Plates Fee: $61.50
Appalachian Trail Fee: $61.50 ($35 is allocated to the beneficiary)
Personalization:
Standard Plate: $35
Personalized Plate: $70
Transfer Fee: $1
Replacement:
Plates: $11.75
Decals: Free
Note: Taxes, service fees, and other fees are not included above.
Looking Up License Plates in Tennessee
It is possible to look up a license plate number's availability, or to obtain additional information about a vehicle with a registered plate. Simply use the search bar above to find license plates in Tennessee or any state in the U.S.
Car Ownership in Tennessee
Tennessee ranks 13th on the list of states with the highest car ownership rates. Idaho and Wyoming top the table. The District of Columbia and New York are at the bottom of the table with the lowest car ownership rates in the US.
94.60% of households in Tennessee have at least one vehicle. This is compared to 96.20% in Idaho and Wyoming (highest vehicle ownership rates) and 64.30% in the District of Columbia (lowest vehicle ownership rates).
Tennessee ranks 32nd for electric vehicle ownership in the US. Approximately 0.20% of all registered vehicles in Tennessee are electric vehicles. California and Hawaii have rates of electric vehicle ownership (1.61% and 1.32% respectively). Mississippi and North Dakota have the lowest rates of electric vehicle ownership (0.05%).
Tennessee is ranked 24 on 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 in the US.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in Tennessee is $1,720. This is compared to $4,769 in New York (the most expensive state) and $1,112 in Ohio (the least expensive state).
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Tennessee is $399, compared to $418 in Connecticut (the most expensive state for car repairs).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee have 2 license plates?
Tennessee does not have 2 license plates. The state only requires a rear license plate on passenger vehicles. It does not require a license plate mounted on the front of the vehicle. The exception to this rule is truck tractors which must have a front license plate as well.
Why are Tennessee license plates different?
In 2021, residents of Tennessee voted for a new license plate design. This all-blue plate replaces the previous design which featured mountains. The standard TN plates have letters followed by numbers. However, some plates carry the phrase “In God We Trust” and have a reversed order (they begin with numbers followed by letters).
Does Tennessee have vehicle inspections?
Only a few counties in Tennessee have mandatory vehicle inspections. This includes Davidson, Hamilton, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties. Vehicles registered in these counties are required to undergo an annual emissions test before the annual registration renewal.
How can I renew my vehicle registration in Tennessee?
You can renew your vehicle’s registration online on tncountyclerk.com, at self-service kiosks located throughout the state, through the phone app Auto Assistant, by sending payment and the renewal notice by mail to your local county clerk’s office, or by visiting your local county clerk’s office in person with your renewal notice or current registration.