North Carolina License Plate Law

2 days ago  The law becomes effective July 1, 2021 and applies to registration plates issued or renewed on, or after that date. Existing plates must be replaced with new registration plates if on the date of. According to this 2012 study by researchers at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, only 19 states (including North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Florida) require that vehicles display only a rear license plate. The backstory. North Carolina once required front and back plates, but the General Assembly amended G.S.

  1. North Carolina License Plate Law Change
  2. North Carolina License Plate Law Change Effective Date

SUMMARY: Specialty North Carolina License Plates. In North Carolina, you can choose from several special license plates, such as personalized plates and plates for charities and other organizations. If you're eligible, you can also apply for a military license plate or an antique vehicle tag. NORTH CAROLINA LAWS Publication L-14 Relating to Commercial Vehicles § 20-51. Exempt from registration. The following shall be exempt from the requirement of registration and certificate of title: (1) Any such vehicle driven or moved upon a highway in conformance with the.

North Carolina
Current series
SloganFirst in Flight (standard)
First in Freedom (alternative)
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC-1234
Introduced1982 (First in Flight)
July 1, 2015 (First in Freedom)
Availability
Issued byNorth Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedApril 1, 1913
(county plates from 1907 to June 30, 1909; pre-state plates from July 1, 1909 to March 31, 1913)

The U.S. state of North Carolina first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1907. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1913, when the state began to issue plates.[1] Plates are currently issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Fees to Register a Custom or Antique Vehicle in North Carolina. An important step in the North Carolina custom vehicle registration process and the procedure to obtain vintage car registrations is arranging payment for several types of fees and costs. 2 days ago RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina said, 'No more,' to old, hard-to-read license plates. A new law means North Carolinians will need to get new plates every seven years. Roy Cooper signed the.

  • 1Passenger baseplates

Passenger baseplates[edit]

1913 to 1974[edit]

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[2] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first North Carolina license plate that complied with these standards.

ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
1913White serial on black porcelain plate; vertical 'NC' at right and 'EXPIRES JUNE 30-13' at bottomnone12346801 to approximately 8000Issued only to new registrants between April 1 and June 30, 1913, with serials following on from those on pre-state-issued plates.[3]
1913–14Red serial on white porcelain plate; vertical 'NC' at right and 'EXPIRES JUNE 30-14' at bottomnone123451 to approximately 13000Issued to all registrants.
1914–15White serial on green porcelain plate; vertical 'NC' at right and 'EXPIRES JUNE 30-15' at bottomnone123451 to approximately 17000
1915–16Black serial on gray porcelain plate; vertical 'NC' at right and 'EXPIRES JUNE 30-16' at bottomnone123451 to approximately 25000
1916–17Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; 'NC' monogram and '6-30 1917' at rightnone123451 to approximately 40000First embossed plate. From the collection of Richard Watson.
1917–18Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; 'NC' monogram and '6-30 1918' at rightnone12-3451 to approximately 65-000
1918–19Embossed white serial on black plate; 'NC' monogram and '6-30 1919' at rightnone12-3451 to approximately 80-000
1919–20Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; 'N.C. 6-30 1920' at leftnone12-345
123456
1 to approximately 106000
1920–21Embossed white serial on brown plate; white lines at top and bottom borders; 'NC' monogram and '6-30 1921' at rightnone123-4561 to approximately 131-000
1921–22Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; 'NC' monogram and '6-30 22' at rightnone123-4561 to approximately 213-000
1922–23Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; vertical 'NC' at right and '6-30-23' centered at bottomnone1234561 to approximately 181000
1923–24Embossed maroon serial on light gray plate with border line; 'N.C.-6-30-24' centered at topnone123-4561 to approximately 262-000
1924–25Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; 'NC' monogram and '6-30 25' at leftnone123.4561 to approximately 320.000
1925–26Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; diagonal 'NC' and '6-30-26' at rightnone123-4561 to approximately 348-000
1926–27Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; 'NC' monogram and horsepower class at right; '6 30 27' at leftnone123-4561 to approximately 421-000Horsepower classes were A (over 35 hp), B (31-35 hp), C (26-30 hp) and E (25 hp and under); a block of serials was assigned to each class, with E having the biggest block. This continued through 1928.
1927Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; vertical 'NC' at left; horsepower class and '27' at rightnone123-456100-001 to approximately 496-000Issued only from July 1 through December 31, 1927.
1928Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; vertical 'NC' at right; horsepower class and '28' at leftnone123-456100-001 to approximately 556-000
1929Embossed white serial on sky blue plate with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA-1929' at bottomnone123-456100-001 to approximately 580-000First use of the full state name. Horsepower classes same as 1926–28 but no letter used for the 25 hp and under class; for the other classes, the letter was carried at the right of the plate. This happened again in 1930.
1930Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA–1930' at topnone123-456100-001 to approximately 607-000
1931Embossed yellow serial on black plate; horsepower class number used as separator; 'NORTH CAROLINA–31' at bottomnone123-456100-001 to approximately 483-000Last year of horsepower classes; same as 1926–30 but numbered 1–4 in decreasing order of power.
1932Embossed black serial on yellow plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA–32' at topnone123-456100-001 to approximately 415-000
1933Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA–33' at bottomnone123-456100-001 to approximately 464-000
1934Embossed yellow serial on black plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA–34' at topnone123-456100-001 to approximately 493-000
1935Embossed silver serial on black plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA–35' at bottomnone123-456100-001 to approximately 518-000
1936Embossed light green serial on black plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA–36' at topnone123-456100-001 to approximately 545-000
1937Embossed yellow serial on black plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA–37' at bottomnone123-456200-001 to approximately 651-000Serials 100-001 through 200-000 reserved for trucks; this practice continued through 1946.[4]
1938Embossed black serial on yellow plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA–38' at topnone123-456200-001 to approximately 646-000
1939Embossed silver serial on maroon plate; 'North Carolina 39' centered at bottomnone123-456200-001 to approximately 686-000
1940Embossed maroon serial on silver plate; 'North Carolina 40' centered at bottomnone123-456200-001 to approximately 705-000
1941Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; 'North Carolina 41' centered at bottomnone123-456200-001 to approximately 775-000
1942–43Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 42' at bottomnone123-456200-001 to approximately 762-000Revalidated for 1943 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 44' at topnone123-456200-001 to approximately 707-000
1945Embossed black serial on tan plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 45' at bottomnone123-456200-001 to approximately 703-000
1946Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 46' at topnone123-456200-001 to approximately 748-000
1947Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 47' at topnone123-456100-001 to approximately 682-000Serials 800-001 through 999-999 reserved for trucks and farm vehicles; this practice continued through 1949.[4]
1948Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 48' at topnone123-456100-001 to approximately 760-000
1949Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 49' at bottomnone123-456100-001 to 800-000From the personal collection of Richard Watson.
A-12345W-1001 to approximately W-14000
1950Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 50' at bottomnone123-456100-001 to
760-000
Serials 760-001 through 999-999 reserved for trucks and farm vehicles; this practice continued through 1955.[4]
A-12345W-1001 to
W-99999;
R-1001 to approximately R-74000
1951Embossed red serial on white plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 51' at bottomnone123-456100-001 to
760-000
A-12345W and R series;
N-1001 to approximately N-39000
1952Embossed white serial on red plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 52' at bottomnone123-456100-001 to
760-000
A-12345W and R series;
N-1001 to approximately N-76000
1953Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 53' or 'N.C.', slogan and '53' at bottom (see right)none, or 'DRIVE SAFELY' between state abbreviation and year123-456100-001 to
760-000
A-12345W, R and N series;
X-1001 to approximately X-46000
1954Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 54' or 'N.C.', slogan and '54' at bottomnone, or 'DRIVE SAFELY' between state abbreviation and year123-456100-001 to
760-000
A-12345W, R and N series;
X-1001 to approximately X-96000
1955Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA 55' at bottomnone123-456100-001 to 760-000
A-12345W, R, N, X and A series; V-1001 to approximately V-22000
1956Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA 56' at bottom'DRIVE SAFELY' centered at topA-1234
AB-1234
Serials progressed as follows: A-1 through A-9999, AA-1 through AZ-9999, B-1 through B-9999, BA-1 through BZ-9999, etc. This continued through 1972. Letters G, I, O and Q not used; this practice continued through 1968.[4]
1957Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA 57' at bottom'DRIVE SAFELY' centered at topA-1234
AB-1234
1958As 1956 base, but with 'NORTH CAROLINA 58' at bottom'DRIVE SAFELY' as on 1956 baseA-1234
AB-1234
1959As 1957 base, but with 'NORTH CAROLINA 59' at bottom'DRIVE SAFELY' as on 1957 baseA-1234
AB-1234
1960As 1956 base, but with 'NORTH CAROLINA 60' at bottom'DRIVE SAFELY' as on 1956 baseA-1234
AB-1234
1961As 1957 base, but with '61 NORTH CAROLINA' at bottom'DRIVE SAFELY' as on 1957 baseA-1234
AB-1234
1962As 1956 base, but with '62 NORTH CAROLINA' at bottom'DRIVE SAFELY' as on 1956 baseA-1234
AB-1234
1963Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA 63' at top'DRIVE SAFELY' centered at bottomA-1234
AB-1234
1964Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at top; '64' centered at bottomnoneA-1234
AB-1234
1965Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at top; '1965' centered at bottomnoneA-1234
AB-1234
1966Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; '1966' centered at top; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at bottomnoneA-1234
AB-1234
1967Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; '1967' centered at top; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at bottomnoneA-1234
AB-1234
1968Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at top; '1968' centered at bottomnoneA-1234
AB-1234
1969Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at top; '19' at bottom left and '69' at bottom rightnoneA-1234
AB-1234
Letters G, I, O, Q and U not used in serials; this practice continues today.[4]
1970Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; '19' at top left and '70' at top right; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at bottomnoneA-1234
AB-1234
1971Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; '71' centered at top; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at bottomnoneA-1234
AB-1234
1972Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at top; '19' at bottom left and '72' at bottom rightnoneA-1234
AB-1234
1973Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; '19' at top left and '73' at top right; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at bottomnoneABC-123AAA-101 to approximately HVA-999
1974Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; '1974' centered at top; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at bottomnoneABC-123AAA-101 to approximately JBA-999

1975 to present[edit]

Law
ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
1975–78Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; vertical '75' used as separator; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at bottom'FIRST IN FREEDOM' centered at topABC-123AAA-101 to approximately PMZ-999First base to be revalidated with stickers. Monthly staggered registration introduced 1981.[5] Plates from AAA-101 through JAY-999 replaced 1982; all other plates replaced by 1992.
1978–80As above, but without '75' and slogannonePNA-101 to approximately SXZ-999
1980–81As above, but with '1980' centered at topSYA-101 to approximately XFZ-999
1981–82As above, but with 'NORTH CAROLINA' at top and '1981' centered at bottomXHA-101 to approximately YJZ-999
1982As above, but with '1982' centered at bottomYKA-101 to approximately ZRZ-999
1982Blue on reflective white with light blue Wright Flyer graphic'First in Flight' screened at topABC-123ZSA-101 to ZZZ-999Awarded 'Plate of the Year' for best new license plate of 1982 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time North Carolina has been so honored.
ABC-12
ABC-100
AAA-11 to XZZ-100
1982–85ABC-123AAA-101 to JAY-999
1985 – April
2007
ABC-1234ANA-1001 to approximately WTF-1975Second letter in serials strictly N through Z (so AZZ was followed by BNA, BZZ was followed by CNA and so on); this practice continued until ZZZ-9999 was issued in 2010. Since 1999, OBX has been issued as a special series for Dare County.
April 2007 – October 2009Red on reflective white with light blue Wright Flyer graphic'First in Flight' as aboveABC-1234WTF-1976 to approximately ZND-9999Mainly issued as replacements for earlier 'First in Flight' plates with the ABC-123 and ABC-12 serial formats, plus the ABC-1234 format up to JZZ-9999.[5]
October 2009 – December 2010Blue on reflective white with light blue Wright Flyer graphic'First in Flight' as aboveABC-1234ZNE-1001 to ZZZ-9999Blue serials reintroduced following complaints that the red serials were too hard to read from a distance.
December 2010 – presentAAA-1001 to HDX-8978 (as of September 20, 2019)Second letter in serials strictly A through M (so AMZ was followed by BAA, BMZ was followed by CAA and so on); this practice should continue until at least NMZ-9999 is issued.
July 1, 2015 – presentBlue on reflective white with quill pen graphic'First In Freedom' screened at topABC-1234PAA-1001 to RAJ-4738 (as of September 11, 2019)Alternative issue. Includes dates of May 20, 1775 and April 12, 1776 commemorating the adoption of the Mecklenburg Declaration and Halifax Resolves, respectively.[6] Second letter in serials strictly A through M (so PMZ will be followed by RAA, RMZ will be followed by SAA and so on).

Non-passenger plates[edit]

North Carolina License Plate Law Change

ImageTypeDates issuedDesignSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
Apportioned Truck2006–presentEmbossed blue on white with border line; 'N.C. PERMANENT' at top; 'APPORTIONED' at bottomLB-1234
MB-1234
NB-1234
LA-1001 to
MC-9999;
MH-1001 to
present
Issuing NK series as of June 6, 2019.
Farm TruckEmbossed red on white with border line; 'COMMERCIAL' at top; 'FARM TRUCK–NC' at bottomXB-1234
YB-1234
XA-1001 to presentIssuing YN series as of April 21, 2019.
For Hire2006–presentEmbossed blue on white with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at bottom; 'FOR HIRE' at topZB-1234ZB-1001 to presentIssuing ZK series as of April 28, 2019.
ManufacturerEmbossed blue on white with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at bottom; 'MANUFACTURER' at topMF-1234MF-1001 to present
Motorcycle1999–presentEmbossed blue on white with border line; 'N.C.' at top1A23451A0001 to presentLetter advances before leftmost number (so the progression is 1A-1Z, 2A-2Z, etc.). G, I, O, Q and U not used. Issuing 7N series as of August 11, 2019.
Multi-Year Trailer1993–presentEmbossed black on white with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at top; 'MULTI YEAR' at bottomAB-12345AY-10000 to AZ-99999;
AA-10000 to present
Permanent trailer plate obtained for a one-time fee. Issuing AJ series as of April 24, 2019.
Taxi2006–presentEmbossed blue on white with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at bottom; 'TAXI' at topTB-1234TA-1001 to presentIssuing TC series as of August 31, 2018.
Trailer1995–presentEmbossed red on white with border line; 'NORTH CAROLINA' at bottom; 'TRAILER' at topAB-12345AN-10000 to
AX-99999;
BA-10000 to present
Issuing CL series as of April 19, 2019.

Temporary plates[edit]

  • 1997

  • 2003

  • 2009, motorcycle

References[edit]

  1. ^'Old North Carolina License Plates'. LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  2. ^Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). 'Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size'. Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. ^Taylor, Eric Robert. 'North Carolina Archive'. PorcelainPlates.net. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  4. ^ abcdeTanner, Eric N. 'North Carolina License Plates'. allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  5. ^ abKretschmer, Rick. 'A Pictorial History of North Carolina License Plates: Passenger car plates dated 1956 to present'. RicksPlates.com. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  6. ^Siceloff, Bruce (July 1, 2015). 'Second to none, NC now offers choice of 2 'First' license plates'. The News & Observer. Raleigh. Retrieved December 21, 2015.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

  • Media related to License plates of North Carolina at Wikimedia Commons
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vehicle_registration_plates_of_North_Carolina&oldid=919503549'

North Carolina drivers will now have to replace the license plates on their vehicles every seven years.

© NCDOT north carolina license plate

The new law comes after House Bill 211 passed in the North Carolina General Assembly last week.

The legislation calls for drivers to have license plates that are completely treated with reflectorized materials designed to increase visibility and legibility at night.

North Carolina License Plate Law Change Effective Date

The law takes effect July 1, 2020.

The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles said the new requirement will not cost drivers any extra money.

READ MORE:North Carolina drivers now required by law to replace their license plates every 7 years

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