by Armando Martinez
For Sellers
If you're selling a car in North Carolina, you’ll need to remove the license plates off the vehicle as they do not transfer to our buyer.. If you choose to transfer the license plate to a new vehicle, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- Maintain on both vehicles liability insurance from a provider licensed to do business in North Carolina.
- The vehicle to which the license plate is being transferred must have a current inspection.
- The license plate being transferred must be valid.
- The name on the applicant's license and the vehicle title must match.
- Prove the vehicle is covered under liability insurance from a North Carolina-licensed provider.
If all requirements are met, you'll need to:
1. Remove the license plate from the car and keep it in a safe place.
2. Take your vehicle's title, copy of registration, insurance into your local DMV
3. Pay a transfer plate fee of $21.50 and any other relevant fees, and taxes
If you chose not to transfer your license plates, you’ll need to:
1, Make your North Carolina plates unusable by bending them, removing and destroying the stickers.
2. Surrender them in person to your local NC DMV Office
3. Surrender them by mail to the DMV at: 3148 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697-3148
Seller Notification to DMV
You’ll want to notify the NC Department of Transportation that you’ve sold your vehicle. For more information, including a link to do this online, refer to the NC DOT webpage.
For Buyers
If you're buying a car in North Carolina, you have the option to transfer your license plate from a previously owned vehicle or get new plates. To transfer the license plate, you'll need to make sure you meet all the same requirements outlined above in the seller section and do the following:
1. Visit your local DMV office within 30 days of the purchase date to complete the transfer process.
2. Obtain a bill of sale that includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), purchase price, and date of sale.
4. Bring your driver's license or another form of identification.
5. You’ll need a copy of your current registration and vehicle title signed over to you by your owner
5. Pay the necessary plate transfer fees of $21.50
If you choose to get new plates, you'll need to follow the same steps as when getting new plates for any other car.
License Plate Fees
In North Carolina, the fees for license plate transfers vary depending on the type of vehicle and the county in which the transfer is taking place. Generally, you can expect to pay a fee of $21.50 for a license plate transfer, plus any additional taxes or fees required by your county.
It's important to note that you'll also need to pay registration fees for your vehicle, which vary depending on the type of vehicle and its weight. You can visit your local DMV office or check their website for more information on registration fees.
Conclusion
I hope this updated guide on license plate transfers for private party sales in North Carolina is helpful! As always, be sure to double-check with your local DMV office for any additional requirements or changes to the process.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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