In North Carolina, there are many car accidents reported each year. Some of these vehicles are repaired and then sold at a discount to unsuspecting buyers, unaware of the vehicle's history. If you're considering purchasing a used car in North Carolina, it's advisable to conduct a thorough background check on the vehicle before finalizing your purchase. Using a free license plate lookup service like VinFreeCheck can provide you with a detailed history of the vehicle.
VinFreeCheck’s free license plate lookup service can uncover details such as car ownership, salvage history, odometer readings, and any existing liens. Armed with this information, you can make well-informed decisions when purchasing a used car in North Carolina.
First in Flight 🪂
North Carolina is known for its "First in Flight" license plates, which celebrate the Wright brothers' first successful powered flight in 1903 at Kitty Hawk. The state introduced these plates in 1982 to honor its historical significance in aviation. The license plate features an image of the Wright Flyer and the tagline "First in Flight," emphasizing North Carolina's pride in being the site of this pivotal moment in history. This design is one of the most recognizable and popular license plates in the state.
Where to Find My North Carolina Plate Number?
Generally, you can easily your plate number easily by looking at the issued license plate attached to your car. However, there are instances you need to lookup car license plates without having access to the car physically, you can look it up at you car's North Carolina registration card.
Vehicle License Plates in North Carolina
As a car owner in North Carolina, you are required to comply with the requirements for registering your vehicle. New residents should register out of state vehicles within 30 days of moving to North Carolina. Drivers need to have auto insurance cover at the time of registering the vehicle. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is the legal provider of license plates in North Carolina.
License plates in North Carolina are made in a serial format that includes four numbers and three letters. There are several license plate categories you can apply for as a North Carolina residence.
- Standard state issues license plates
- Special interest license plates
- Military license plates
- NASCAR license plates
- Civic clubs license plates
- Collegiate license plates
Some of these categories require special documentation for you to qualify for the plates. Be sure that you have the right papers to improve your chances of having your application approved.
For persons living with disabilities, one is required to submit medical reports before they can qualify for disability plates or placards. Disability license plates can be issued to:
- People living with a permanent disability
- People living with a temporary disability
- Army veterans living with disabilities
Transferring License Plates in North Carolina
In North Carolina, you can transfer license plates from one vehicle to another, but only if both vehicles are registered to the same owner. North Carolina law prohibits transferring license plates between different owners.
To transfer license plates, you must:
- Register the new vehicle at a North Carolina DMV office
- Obtain title certification for the new vehicle
- Secure insurance for the vehicle
- Pay the necessary license transfer fees
If you need to replace your North Carolina license plates, this can only be done at DMV offices. A police report is required to qualify for a license plate replacement. Additionally, you will need to cover the replacement fees and notary fees.
Surrendering Your License Plate in North Carolina
You might need to surrender your license plate in the following situations:
- The insurance on your vehicle has been canceled.
- You are relocating out of North Carolina.
- Your current plates are damaged and you have ordered replacements.
- You possess old plates that you are no longer using.
You can surrender the plates either in person or by simply mailing them to the DMV.
Sources and Legality of Vehicle Data Access
We rely on multiple sources to compile our license plate report. Many of our sources come from governmental entities such as the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). We also regularly check the car auction inventories to track various vehicle's condition.
If you're wondering if this is legal, it absolutely is! We adhere to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), ensuring that no personal details of vehicle owners are disclosed. Our license plate lookup service conducts a reverse search to retrieve the VIN number, which is then used to access vehicle history reports. Most importantly, our reports do not contain any personally identifiable information.
Also, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) grants every individual the right to access government-collected information. Therefore, using our vehicle license plate lookup tool is completely legal and free of charge—there’s no reason not to try it out!