How Much Are License Plates In North Carolina?

In the state of North Carolina, license plate fees will vary depending on the type of plates you choose. The fee for a standard license plate in North Carolina is $10.

If you want a North Carolina specialty plate, you will have to pay the initial fee for the specific plate (costs vary), along with an initial fee of $30. Additional taxes and fees apply to both new and renewal registrations.

In North Carolina, vehicles are only required to have a license plate on the rear of the vehicle.

(Every US state requires a rear license plate. Some states require a front plate, while other states don’t.)

Here are the steps for getting a new license plate from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (North Carolina DMV).

1. Get a valid North Carolina driver's license. To register your car and get license plates, you must have a valid North Carolina driver's license.
2. Register your vehicle. You will need to register your vehicle with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
3. Provide required documentation. When registering your vehicle, you will need to provide the following documentation: a completed registration application, proof of ownership, proof of insurance, and payment for any applicable fees.
4. Choose your license plate design. North Carolina offers a variety of license plate designs, including standard designs and specialty plates.
5. Receive your license plates. Once your vehicle is registered and all required documentation and fees have been submitted, you will receive your license plates in the mail.
6. Install your license plates. Once you receive your license plates, you must install them on your vehicle in accordance with North Carolina law. The plates must be visible and securely attached to the rear of your vehicle.

There are many different types of license plates: passenger license plates, commercial vehicle plates, special license plates, trailer plates, and motorcycle plates.

License plates measure 6 by 12 inches and are rectangular (motorcycle license plates are smaller, measuring 4 by 7 inches). They are made of aluminum, which is durable and resistant to rust.

The North Carolina license plate has 7 characters (across the 50 states, license plates have anywhere from six to eight characters).

A standard North Carolina license plate costs $10.

Passenger vehicles, commercial motor vehicles, motorcycles, permanent trailers, trailer coaches, and park trailers are eligible for a standard North Carolina license plate.

A standard license plate is issued in any of the following scenarios:

Both standard and specialty plates can be personalized. The cost of a personalized license plate is $30.

Personalized NC plates can be ordered online, by mail or at a NC Division of Motor Vehicles license plate agency.

To find out if your desired license plate personalization is permissible and available, you can use the North Carolina plates and placards selection page.

You can choose from a variety of specialty license plates in NC. The fee for a specialty NC plate varies from $10 to $50 per year.

To acquire a specialty plate in NC, you will need to summit the following:


Some of the available options include:


Additionally, there is a "Partially Disabled Veteran" plate available for veterans with service-related disabilities.

Handicap symbols are also available with the disability symbol added to qualified applicants' plate. The disability symbol can be added to any of the NC plate designs. The fee for a disability license plate is $36 while the placard costs $5.

When applying for a handicap plate, you will need to provide the following paperwork:

The cost of military plates varies depending on the plate design. The fee for military plates can range from $10 to $50 and is paid annually.

When applying for a military plate in North Carolina, you will need to provide the following paperwork:


Some of the available options include:


Additionally, there is a "Partially Disabled Veteran" plate available for veterans with service-related disabilities.

To complete the North Carolina car title transfer form, you will need to provide the following info:


See our guide to transferring a North Carolina car title for more detailed info on the title transfer process.

Before applying for a NC license plate, a vehicle owner will need a valid vehicle registration card from North Carolina DMV. In North Carolina, you can register your vehicle in person or by mail. To make things more efficient, title transfer and car registration are done simultaneously.

An initial registration must take place in person at a local DMV office at the time of titling by submitting the following:

You can also register your vehicle by mail. You will need all the documentation you would provide in person, and a copy of your valid driver’s license mailed to:

Vehicle titles/liens, duplicate registration

3148 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27697

After you submit the required paperwork and pay the North Carolina fees, the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles will mail you the registration documents and license plate tabs.

Along with a completed transfer of title and registration, to complete the registration process, you’ll need to provide proof that you own the car, such as a bill of sale or title certificate.

The NC Department of Transportation official website provides useful information regarding vehicle registration requirements, along with instructions for how to apply for a plate.

When registering a vehicle for the first time, you can only get your license plates in person at your local NC DMV agency

Once you have submitted the form, you will be asked to choose the plates.

You can pay with a credit card, a debit card, or an electronic check.

To register an out-of-state vehicle in North Carolina, you'll need to submit the following to your closest license plate agency:

The fee to renew a passenger vehicle is $38.75.

Each state has different requirements for how often license plates need to be renewed. North Carolina drivers are required to renew their registration annually, which includes license plate renewal.

Being late on registration renewal can lead to late additional fees, fines, and other problems when pulled over for a traffic stop. To avoid this, it is important to pay careful attention to the registration expiration date.

In some cases, the North Carolina DMV may require you to change your license plates. If your license plate is lost or stolen, contact the DMV or go to an authorized third-party office to have it replaced with new numbers and letters.

There will be a $21.50 license plate replacement fee.

To replace a damaged or unreadable plate, you need to submit the following to the NC DMV license plate agency:


If your license plate was stolen, you’ll need to report the theft to law enforcement and apply for a replacement.

North Carolina provides (upon request) temporary plates to people who have bought a car but don't have their permanent plates yet. They cost $15, of which $5 goes towards notary fees.

Owners of vehicles must show proof of ownership, insurance, and a valid driver's license or other form of ID. Temporary plates must be put on the back of the car and cannot be given to someone else. They can be obtained from any North Carolina DMV office or authorized third party provider. Temporary plates are only valid for 10 days.

Before purchasing a used car in North Carolina, identify whether it has back fees—or you could be liable for them.

The first step is to obtain the vehicle identification number from the seller. With the VIN, you can contact your local DMV office and request a title search. The North Carolina DMV will be able to tell you if there are any unpaid fees associated with the car, such as a vehicle registration fee or a parking ticket.

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