North Carolina · NC · Vehicles
North Carolina: Do you need a front license plate?
Rear plate only
North Carolina issues one license plate for a passenger car, and it goes on the rear.
The DMV issues a single plate for every motor vehicle. When only one plate is issued, the law requires it on the rear. The statute still has wording for front and rear plates, but that applies only when two plates are issued.
What the law says
The Division upon registering a vehicle shall issue to the owner one registration plate for a motorcycle, trailer or semitrailer and for every other motor vehicle. ... Provided, that when only one registration plate is issued for a motor vehicle other than a truck-tractor, said registration plate shall be attached to the rear of the motor vehicle.
Sources
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-63(a), (d) Official · ncleg.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles
- Phone
- 919-715-7000
- Website
- ncdot.gov
How bordering states compare
- Georgia Rear plate onlyGeorgia requires only a rear license plate on passenger cars.
- South Carolina Rear plate onlySouth Carolina issues one license plate for a passenger car, and it goes on the rear.
- Tennessee Rear plate onlyTennessee requires only a rear license plate on passenger cars.
- Virginia Front and rear platesVirginia requires ordinary cars to display license plates on both the front and the rear.
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