North Carolina to eliminate vehicle registration cards and plate stickers starting Oct. 1

North Carolina will begin eliminating physical vehicle registration cards and annual license plate renewal stickers this fall under a provision included in the state budget.

The change takes effect Oct. 1, 2026, and applies to vehicle registrations and registration renewals applied for on or after that date.

Under Session Law 2026-41, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is directed to develop and maintain an electronic vehicle registration system that allows vehicle owners, law enforcement agencies and other authorized entities to access and verify a vehicle's registration status without a physical registration card or renewal sticker.

The law states the General Assembly's intent is to reduce administrative costs, streamline vehicle registration and improve efficiency by eliminating the physical cards and stickers.

Instead of receiving a physical registration card as part of the standard registration process, vehicle owners will receive an electronic notice of registration. Drivers will no longer be required to carry a physical registration card in their vehicle, and law enforcement will be able to verify registration information electronically.

Vehicle owners who still want a paper copy may request one from the DMV. The law allows the division to charge a fee of no more than the actual cost of printing and mailing the document.

The change also removes the annual registration renewal sticker from license plates. Vehicle registration expiration dates will instead be reflected in the electronic registration system.

The new system does not eliminate annual vehicle registration renewals or required vehicle inspections. The law updates inspection requirements to refer to the expiration of a vehicle's registration rather than the expiration date displayed on a registration sticker.

The changes apply to registrations and renewals processed beginning Oct. 1.