North Carolina License Plates

Prefix series high ZZZ-9905 reached in 2010 and cycled back to lower letters, low AAA-1010. Blue characters returned at low ZNE-1005 in 2009 and has remained the color of choice ever since.

Blue characters used until 2007 high WTF-1973. Color changed to red only from 2007-09 in confirmed range WTF-1995 through ZND-9976.

XXX prefix series was issued in 2007 but all plates were later recalled because they looked too close to KKK.  XXX-3006 and XXX-3922 observed in 2009-10.

Earlier GTP prefix designated the North Carolina Global TransPark, high GTP99822.

The GC suffix designates the Guilford Battleground Company, Chris Cargill observed 0366GC.

Began at PAA-1001. This is a second standard issue available to all registrants at no extra cost. Personalized plates are available on this type, but not special plates with full backgrounds. First available July 1, 2015.

This series debuted July 1, 2019 as a no-surcharge passenger option. A pay-extra "In God We Trust" specialty graphic plate with a different design was already available when this series was introduced, and remains available for a $30 surcharge.

Flat with blue numbers.

This "APPORTIONED" plate type signifies a truck or bus operating in more than one jurisdiction as part of the International Registration Plan (IRP). Plates changed from larger 6-character dies to smaller 7-character dies at MP/MR by September 2015.

Prefix MF omitted from this series in 2011 because it had previously been assigned to the Manufacturer series.

Blue on white, embossed.

Black on white. Most other types in NC are blue on white.

Previous Handicapped formats were HD1234 and 1234HD. Still blue characters.

Issued to a wide variety of commercial vehicles for hire - light and medium duty delivery trucks, charter buses, limousines, tow trucks, etc. Low for this type is ZB-1001.

Serial letter normally advances before leftmost number.

Issued to heavy trucks for hire - dump trucks, truck tractors, etc. ZB prefix is constant.

Issued to heavy-duty trucks and truck tractors. Not really permanent. Original format was YA-00000.

Black on white paper

Here is a clarification from Ric Allison about Temporary plates: There are two different types of temp plate categories. The one listed with all numbers is a temp purchased with a new car sale while waiting for a new plate from a dealer only. These are issued for 30 days. No more, no less.

The one with TA, TB, TC etc... Are sold by DMV when a customer requests a multi use temp tag. The are issued for 10 days for someone who is selling a vehicle for demo purposes, or someone from outside NC who bought a car here and returning home. These are also issued more commonly by DMV for people requesting an insurance hearing for lapses in their insurance. When their tag is suspended, and actually taken by law enforcement, they would be issued this temp plate to drive on until their insurance hearing at which point, it would either be requested to be turned in or surrendered after all fines are paid and a new regular plate issued.

T high: TC64873 2015-02-23 Walter Pilley

North Carolina does not use the letter G on its license plates, so the CG trailer prefix was never used.

Undated black on white embossed with "MULTI YEAR" legend. Earlier plates were in the AY-12345 format, then AZ-12345 and onto AA-12345 in 2009.

2010 jump from TP114064 to the TP 60000 series was accurate; newer plates had black characters on a green background.

Issued to medium-duty trucks., switched to the 7-character AA-0000A format once ZZ-9999 was reached in 2025.

Flat

Original format was 0000 I/C.

Flat

Flat

Flat, original format was 1234 B/P until 2005. Numbering used A123 B/P until 2009, then to 1A23 B/P until 2014. See History tab for newer and current formats.

These plates are also available for motorcycles in the 1234 B/R format, motorcycle high: 0264B/R

Progression: The digit in the first position progresses last, so the current series is 1A01 - 1Z99, then 2A01 - 2Z99, then 3A01 and up.

Flat

Flat

Embossed, new design

Embossed

This lighthouse design confirmed as low as 1545 D/U.

Minor league baseball team

2250 E/S is the lowest flat reported.

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The Cape Hatteras lighthouse is pictured. Flat

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Flat

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Registration numbers embossed, stacked N/R and all other graphics screened

Flat, new type

A/I 001A format followed A/I 9999 in 2007.

Flat

Flat

Flat

For those who may be unfamiliar with North Carolina, OBX is a trendy designation associated with the Outer Banks region on the coast. The distinctive OBX prefix first became available in 1999 at a $20 premium. It is available to all North Carolina motorists, but only if they visit the Manteo DMV office in person.

Initial run: OBX-1 to OBX-9999 (no leading zeroes) (12/23/99 - 7/25/00)

Second run: OBX-01 to OBX-0999 (8/14/00 - ?)

After that, the hyphen was removed so that five numeric digits could be accommodated.

Once OBX99999 was exceeded, suffix letters were introduced. A, D, H, L, P, T, X, will be issued on the First in Flight base. The J suffix was thought to be reserved for the First in Freedom base, but it was observed by Sage Gaska on this base in August 2026.

Suffixes B, E, M, R, V, Y, will be issued on the First in Freedom base. The J suffix was initially thought to be reserved for this base, but it was spotted on the First in Flight base in August 2026.

Suffixes C, F, K, N, S, W, Z, will be issued on the In God We Trust base.

Piedmont Airlines was a big part of North Carolina history. It was founded in 1948, and was purchased by US Airways in 1989.

The B/V suffix has also been used.

Flat

Flat

Flat

Flat

Flat, original format was 1234 S/M changing to new style plates in 2007 at J001 S/M. After reaching Z999 in 2009, series progressed to the 1A01 series until 2014 then to 11A1 series until 2020. AB12 format used since 2024.

Discontinued on February 1, 2021, existing plates ceased being renewed, all off the road.

Introduced in Feb. 2009.

Flat

Flat

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Flat

U is constant. Numbers advance before suffix letter. Original format was U1234.

Changed from flat high V1570 to embossed low V1620 in 2014.

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This type originally used a "X" prefix letter, but now uses the "W/S" suffix.

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See History tab for newer numbering formats. Pre-2015 formats were D/V 0000, 0000 D/V and Z123D/V.

Flat

Retired Air Force, Army and Navy all share this format with their individual seals.

Numbering moved from 9999R to M prefix then to A123R in 2012.

Flat

A123 V/V format followed 9999 V/V in 2009.