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North Carolina License PlateA North Carolina license plate is a metal tag with alphanumeric characters attached to a vehicle, indicating that the vehicle is registered with the relevant state agency. License plates serve as official vehicle identifications and are typically linked to information about the vehicles to which they are registered and their owners. The numbers imprinted on the plates help law enforcement and other people easily identify vehicles.
All motor vehicles in North Carolina must have official identification tags (license plates) obtained from the state's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Per Section 20-63 of the state's General Statutes, the NCDMV must issue a registration plate to the owner of a trailer, semitrailer, motorcycle, and every other motor vehicle upon registering their vehicle. North Carolina required two license plates in the past. However, in 1951, the state's general assembly amended Section 20-36 of the North Carolina General Statutes to permit the DMV to issue only rear plates in case of a metal shortage. After a while, the amendment was re-amended to allow the DMV to issue rear license plates only, regardless of metal availability. As of 2024, North Carolina is one of the states that require only one license plate for registered vehicles on the rear.
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles issues various types of license plates, including the following:
While North Carolina license plates bear alphanumeric characters, they do not follow a particular order. The type of standard license plate issued for a private passenger vehicle or a private hauler vehicle licensed for no more than 6,000 lbs is at the instance of the vehicle owner. Per state law, a vehicle owner must keep their license plates clean and free from dirt and dust. Anyone who refuses to clean their registration plates after being warned to do so is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. It is also illegal to conceal or alter a North Carolina license plate by any means. Any vehicle owner who willfully alters or conceals their registration plate is guilty of a Class 2 Misdemeanor.
North Carolina License Plate Design and FormatsNorth Carolina license plates come in varying designs depending on the plate type, but most of them have a white background with a touch of blue. Also, there is no specific order or number of characters of the alphanumeric plate numbers written on the tags. For instance, the First in Freedom license plate design has two different dates, May 20, 1775, and April 12, 1776, at the top of the plate, recognizing two important events: the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Halifax Resolves, respectively. These events were the first steps toward independence from Great Britain during the early phase of the American Revolution.
Another state-issued standard license plate, the National and State motto plate, includes the North Carolina motto, "To Be Rather Than To Seem", and the United States motto, "In God We Trust". The "In God We Trust" inscription is printed on top of the license plate above all other characters, while the state motto is written on the bottom, just before the state's name in upper case letters, "NORTH CAROLINA". Other types of license plates issued by the state's DMV come in various designs, and some include logos or pictures depicting the cause or special interests for which they are designed.
Standard License Plates
Specialty License Plates
North Carolina Vanity License PlateNorth Carolina vanity license plates, otherwise known as personalized license plates, allow interested persons to personalize special and standard license plates for an additional fee. They get to select their preferred license plate numbers in compliance with certain DMV rules. The North Carolina DMV has discretion in refusing to issue a vanity plate number request with an offensive word or meaning.
You can order a North Carolina personalized license plate in person, online, or by mail. To apply by mail, complete the Application for Personalized License Plates Form and mail it to the state's DMV at:
North Carolina Division of Motor VehiclesTo order a North Carolina vanity license plate online, use the myNCDMV Portal powered by PayIt and select the "Order a Special or Personalized Plate" tab. Expect to pay a $3 fee per online transaction to PayIt when you use this online service. You can also apply for a North Carolina personalized license plate in person by submitting a completed Application for Personalized License Plates Form at any NC DMV Office location.
Vanity license plates can be issued for private trucks, automobiles, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and trailers registered in North Carolina at a $30 fee. Generally, you need your current vehicle license plate number and the last five digits of the title number to order a North Carolina license plate. Before filing your application, you can look up your preferred plate number to ascertain whether another person has not taken it. Once the DMV receives your application for a personalized license plate, it takes up to eight weeks for the Division to process it and send your plate.
Most Popular North Carolina Special Plate NumbersThe following are some of the most popular specialty license plates in North Carolina:
North Carolina License Plate LookupNorth Carolina license plate lookup means searching for certain information about any vehicle registered with the state's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). A typical license plate number search uses a vehicle's plate number and a state's name to check for details associated with the vehicle and its owner. North Carolinians may want to look up license plates for many reasons, including researching a used vehicle's history for those intending to purchase one. However, plate number searches must be done by authorized entities, including certain law enforcement agencies. Similarly, license plate lookups can help law enforcement identify the owners of cars parked in restricted places and vehicles that have been reported stolen.
A North Carolina license plate lookup can reveal the following information about a vehicle:
The North Carolina DMV permits qualified individuals and entities, including law enforcement agencies, to search the state's motor vehicle records (MVR) by completing Form MVR-605A. Such authorized persons and organizations can look up a vehicle's full history with its license plate number through this service. However, it is not free and comes at a cost. Alternatively, it is possible to look up a North Carolina license plate on Recordsfinder using a vehicle's plate number and the state.
The reverse license plate number search service offered by Recordsfinder can get an authorized person or entity the required data about any North Carolina-registered vehicle. The website eliminates the bottlenecks in obtaining certain records of vehicles, saves time, and turns out accurate data on any license plate being searched. All that is required to do a reverse plate lookup is a correct license plate number and the state's name.
What Do I Need to Get a License Plate in North Carolina?The first step to obtaining a North Carolina license plate for a vehicle is to title and register it with the state's Division of Motor Vehicles. You must meet the following requirements and provide certain documents to title and register a vehicle and, by extension, secure a license plate in North Carolina:
The manufacturer's certificate of origin is the official transfer document for a new vehicle. North Carolina residents who purchase vehicles already registered in the state, or those new in the state must provide the certificate of title correctly assigned by the vehicle's former owner. To complete a vehicle titling and registration and obtain a license plate in North Carolina, submit all the required documents in person at any NCDMV office. Alternatively, you can mail them to the state's DMV at:
North Carolina Department of Motor VehiclesWhen getting a license plate for the first time in North Carolina, you must visit a DMV license plate agency (any DMV office location). The cost of license plates in the state varies, depending on the vehicle type being plated. In addition, there are counties that take local and regional transportation taxes on some vehicles.
Differences Between a Passenger License Plate and Commercial License Plate in North CarolinaA passenger license plate is typically for personal use, while a commercial license plate is mainly assigned to vehicles meant for business or commercial use. Passenger license plates are mostly issued for vehicles used for personal transportation. On the other hand, commercial license plates go on vehicles such as buses, delivery trucks, taxis, and other vehicles designed for transporting people and goods. The notable differences between a passenger license plate and a commercial license plate in North Carolina are outlined in the table below:
| Features | Passenger License Plate | Commercial License Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle type | Vehicles owned by individuals with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs and not used for commercial purposes but personal use | Primarily vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of at least 10,001 lbs that are used as a part of a business and cross state lines. Under North Carolina law, any vehicle carrying hazardous materials and certain passenger vehicles are considered commercial vehicles, regardless of the gross weight. They include vans, single trucks, and combination vehicles like trucks pulling other equipment and tractor-trailers |
| Special Inscription | They are made with no special inscriptions unless issued as special license plates. Users have the option to choose either a "First in Freedom", First in Flight", or the "National/State Mottos" plate | Most commercial license plates on vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or more in the state bear the word "Commercial" unless they are issued as special plates |
The requirements for getting a passenger license are largely the same as those for a commercial license plate in North Carolina, and the processes for obtaining them are similar. For instance, they are issued after vehicle owners have titled and registered their vehicles. In North Carolina, vehicle registration and license plate fees vary based on vehicle weight. Hence, registering and obtaining a commercial vehicle is potentially more expensive than a passenger vehicle.
How To Renew License Plate in North CarolinaLicense plates issued in North Carolina expire yearly and must be renewed annually. Typically, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will notify you of the impending expiration of your vehicle registration and, by extension, license plate about 60 days before it expires. The Division does this by mailing a renewal notice to a vehicle's owner address maintained in its database. The renewal notice will list the renewal fee and the vehicle property taxes due, if any.
Unless your vehicle qualifies for a waiver, North Carolina requires vehicles to undergo safety and/or emissions inspection at most 90 days before their license plates expire. This is a key requirement for vehicle registration renewal in the state. Additionally, the liability insurance maintained on the vehicle must be active.
You can renew your North Carolina license plate/vehicle registration using any of the following methods:
How To Transfer a License Plate in North CarolinaNorth Carolina permits the transfer of a license plate from one vehicle (old) to another (new)owned by the same person. However, it is important to satisfy the following requirements to transfer a North Carolina license plate:
If you meet all of these requirements, you can visit any New Carolina DMV license plate agency to transfer a license plate from your old vehicle to a new vehicle and pay a $21.50 fee. However, this fee may be waived if a vehicle already has a North Carolina title and the following holds:
North Carolina License Plate Lookup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)It is illegal to find the owner of a North Carolina-registered vehicle through their license plate. The state's General Statutes, Section 20-43.1, aligns with the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and prohibits disclosing personal information in motor vehicle records to unauthorized persons, agencies, or entities. Generally, the federal DPPA requires all personal information of vehicle owners to be closed to the public. Per state law, the DMV must comply with the federal DPPA and make all identifying information in the North Carolina motor vehicle records, including those associated with license plates, closed to public view. The state's DMV may only disclose personal information about a vehicle owner if it receives prior written permission from the vehicle owner whose details are being sought.
While the personally identifying details of vehicle owners in North Carolina are closed to the public, they may be disclosed to authorized persons and entities in certain instances. For instance, the DMV can reveal such information for use in relation to matters of vehicle emissions, theft, recalls, and driver's safety. With Recordsfinder, it is possible to search a North Carolina license plate for non-personal information linked to the vehicle to which the plate is registered. Generally, the United States maintains data on over 269 million registered vehicles. Anyone can look up such data because the VINs of these vehicles are linked to their license plates in public vehicle records.
Yes, lost vehicle license plates can be replaced in North Carolina. You can request a replacement license plate in the state by completing an Application for Replacement Plate and/or Sticker Form (MVR-18) at any North Carolina DMV license plate agency. In addition to Form MVR-18, you will need to provide proof of liability insurance from a North Carolina insurance provider or any other licensed to do business in the state and your vehicle insurance policy number. Expect to pay a $21.50 fee when requesting a replacement license plate in North Carolina.
Officers of law enforcement agencies in North Carolina, including the police, typically see the following information about vehicles and their owners when they run license plates in the state:
Yes. While some free license plate lookup websites provide free North Carolina license plate search services, they have several restrictions. In compliance with the federal DPPA and Section 20-43.1 of the state's Statutes, the DMV does not disclose personal information of vehicle owners to unauthorized persons or entities. Most free license plate lookups will only disclose basic vehicle information, including their make, year of manufacture, and model.
Although North Carolina free license plate lookups can only reveal limited vehicle details, residents can conduct such searches for several reasons. For example, you should strongly consider doing a free license plate lookup when purchasing a used vehicle in the state. Most used vehicle sellers may not want to disclose the key issues about a vehicle, but a free license plate lookup may fetch some basic information. Uncovering such information will guide you in deciding whether to purchase such a vehicle.
Recordsfinder offers reliable North Carolina license plate lookup services. Using this website, you may be able to find a vehicle's mileage, make, year of manufacture, current market price, body style, and model.
A North Carolina vehicle registration typically expires yearly but has a "valid through" date, which is 15 days after the expiry date. Consequently, vehicle owners in the state whose license plates have expired may lawfully drive their vehicles up to 15 days after the due dates. Per Section 20-111 of the North Carolina Statutes, driving with an expired license plate/vehicle registration in the state is a Class 3 misdemeanor, and you may be charged to court. This also applies to operating a vehicle with an expired temporary license plate.
The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles charges offenders up to a $25 late fee on every registration renewal done after the expiry date of vehicle registrations. In essence, if you renew your license plate within a month of its expiration date, the DMV will charge you a $15 late fee. Similarly, you will pay $20 for a license plate that has expired within one to two months and $25 if your vehicle renewal registration has lapsed for two or more months. If a vehicle's registration has expired for over six months, law enforcement may impound or tow the vehicle. The owner of such a vehicle will only regain possession of the car once they renew their license plate and pay the necessary fines.
Yes. You may be required to return your license plates in North Carolina for many reasons. For instance, if you are wrecking or dismantling a vehicle, state law requires you to return the proof of ownership and the last license plates issued to the DMV unless you intend to transfer the plate to another vehicle. Similarly, anyone selling their vehicle for reasons beyond their control, like going bankrupt, must remove their registration plates and forward them to the North Carolina DMV. Furthermore, returning your vehicle license plate to the state's DMV is important before canceling your liability coverage if you want to store the vehicle for a long period. You may incur a civil penalty if you cancel your vehicle liability insurance before surrendering the license plate.
If you have relocated outside North Carolina and established a permanent residence in your new state, you must return your license plate and driver's license to the state's DMV. North Carolina license plates can be returned in person at any DMV license plate agency location by mail or by mail to:
DMV Vehicle Registration SectionAlternatively, you can surrender a North Carolina license plate by dropping it off in a drop box located at North Raleigh License Plate Agency, 4121 New Bern Ave., Suite 151, Raleigh.
No. You must surrender your North Carolina license plate to the state's Division of Motor Vehicles once you permanently relocate to another state and establish residency. Typically, state law requires liability insurance from a state-licensed insurance provider on any registered vehicle as long as the owner keeps the North Carolina license plate. As a result, a vehicle owner will incur a civil penalty if they choose to cancel liability insurance or fail to maintain continuous coverage while still keeping the plates.
A typical North Carolina license plate measures 12" x 6". Motorcycle license plates are smaller and are generally 7" x 4" in dimension.
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles may issue a temporary license plate for a vehicle for a validity period set by the division, usually between 10 and 60 days. Temporary license plates in the state are generally issued to allow a person to drive their vehicle for inspection or while waiting to process their vehicle registration. These plates become void once vehicle owners receive their annual registration plates or upon the expiration of the temporary registrations.
Renew your North Carolina license plates using any of the following methods:
Take the following steps if your North Carolina license plate gets stolen or lost: