What personalized plates are and how to order one
A personalized license plate in North Carolina is a standard plate where you choose the letters and numbers instead of receiving a random combination from the DMV. You can pick up to seven characters — letters, numbers, or a mix — as long as no one else in the state already has that exact combination. North Carolina calls these "Vanity Plates."
You order through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The process takes about two weeks once approved. You'll pay a one-time personalization fee on top of your regular registration renewal fee, and then an annual renewal fee each year after that.
The plate itself looks like a standard North Carolina plate — blue and white with the state name — but displays your chosen characters instead of the random sequence. You can order a personalized plate when you renew your registration, or you can request one mid-registration cycle if you want to change an existing plate.
Key Takeaways
- You choose up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or both) for your plate, but the combination must not already be in use by another North Carolina vehicle.
- Order through the DMV website, by mail, or at a DMV office; approval typically takes about two weeks.
- You pay a one-time personalization fee when you order, plus your regular registration renewal fee, then an annual renewal fee each year.
- Certain words and character combinations are blocked by the DMV for offensive content or public safety reasons.
- You can request a personalized plate when you renew your registration or change an existing one mid-cycle.
Ordering online through the DMV website
The fastest way to order is through the North Carolina DMV website. Go to the Division of Motor Vehicles homepage, find the "Vanity Plates" or personalized plate section, and enter your desired character combination. The system will tell you when ready whether that combination is available.
If your choice is available, you'll create or log into your DMV account, provide your vehicle information and current registration details, and pay the personalization fee plus any renewal fees due. You can pay by credit card or debit card. The DMV will mail your new plate to the address on file, usually within two weeks.
Keep your confirmation number from the online order. If your plate doesn't arrive within three weeks or you need to check the status, you can reference this number when you contact the DMV.
Ordering by mail or at a DMV office
If you prefer not to order online, you can request a personalized plate by mail. read the "process for Personalized Registration Plate" form from the DMV website, fill it out with your desired character combination, vehicle information, and current registration number, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order for the personalization fee and any renewal fees.
Processing by mail takes longer — typically three to four weeks from the time the DMV receives your process. Mail your form well before your registration expires if you're renewing.
You can also visit a DMV office in person and request a personalized plate at the counter. Bring your vehicle registration, proof of ownership, and payment for the personalization and renewal fees. The office staff will check availability on the spot and submit your request. You'll still wait about two weeks for the plate to arrive by mail.
Character limits and blocked combinations
North Carolina allows up to seven characters on a personalized plate. You can use uppercase letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), or a combination of both. Spaces and special characters like hyphens or apostrophes are not allowed.
The DMV blocks certain combinations automatically. These include words or phrases deemed offensive, obscene, or that could be mistaken for official government plates. Combinations that spell out profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity will be rejected. The DMV also blocks plates that could be confused with law enforcement or emergency vehicle markings.
If your first choice is rejected, the system will tell you why (usually just "not available" without explaining the reason). You can then try a different combination. There's no limit to how many times you can check availability before you submit a paid order.
Fees and renewal costs
The one-time personalization fee for a vanity plate in North Carolina varies depending on the type of plate you choose. Standard personalized plates have one fee structure; specialty personalized plates (such as those supporting a university or cause) may have a different fee. Check the current fee schedule on the DMV website, as these amounts can change.
In addition to the personalization fee, you pay your regular vehicle registration renewal fee. If you're ordering mid-cycle (not at renewal time), you may owe a prorated registration fee as well.
Every year when your registration renews, you'll pay an annual personalized plate renewal fee in addition to your standard registration renewal fee. This is less than the initial personalization fee but is charged each year you keep the plate.
What happens if someone else requests your plate
Once you have a personalized plate, it's yours as long as you keep renewing your registration and paying the annual renewal fee. If you let your registration lapse or you remove the personalized plate, the character combination goes back into the available pool and someone else can request it.
If you want to keep the same personalized plate but transfer it to a different vehicle, you can do so during your registration renewal. You'll need the new vehicle's information and current registration. The plate itself will be mailed to you for the new vehicle.
If you no longer want the personalized plate, you can request a standard plate during your next renewal. You'll lose the personalization fee you paid, but you'll stop paying the annual renewal surcharge.
Transferring a personalized plate to a new vehicle
If you buy a new car or truck and want to keep your personalized plate, you can transfer it during your registration renewal. Contact the DMV online, by mail, or in person with your new vehicle's VIN, title, and current registration information.
The DMV will update your registration to show the new vehicle but keep the same plate characters. The physical plate will be mailed to you. You'll pay a transfer fee (check the DMV website for the current amount) plus your regular registration renewal fee.
You cannot transfer a personalized plate to someone else — it stays with you as the registered owner. If you sell the vehicle, the plate goes back to the DMV and becomes available for someone else to order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check if a plate combination is available before I pay?
Yes. On the DMV website, you can enter any character combination in the vanity plate search tool and see whether it's available at no cost. You only pay if you decide to order after confirming availability.
What if the combination I want is already taken?
You'll need to choose a different combination. Try variations — different numbers, rearranged letters, or a shorter version of your idea. The system will let you check as many combinations as you want before you submit a paid order.
How long does it take to receive my personalized plate after I order?
Online and in-person orders typically arrive within two weeks. Mail-in orders take three to four weeks from the time the DMV receives your process. If your plate doesn't arrive within three weeks of ordering online, contact the DMV with your confirmation number.
Do I have to renew my personalized plate every year?
Yes. You pay an annual renewal fee each year along with your vehicle registration renewal. If you don't renew your registration, your personalized plate becomes inactive and the character combination may become available for someone else to order.
Can I use special characters like hyphens or apostrophes on my plate?
No. North Carolina personalized plates allow only uppercase letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). Spaces, hyphens, apostrophes, and other special characters are not permitted.