All vehicles owned by New Hampshire residents must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

You can apply in person and, if eligible, you can obtain specialty or personalized license plates for your vehicle.

Sample New Hampshire License Plate

Types of License Plates in New Hampshire

Vehicles in the state of New Hampshire must display license plates on the front and rear of their vehicles. Motorcycles and trailers are only required to have license plates on the back.

There are various types of license plates in New Hampshire, such as:

Standard License Plates (has scenic background with dark green lettering)
Specialty License Plates (see Specialty License Plates in New Hampshire)
Personalized License Plates (see Personalized License Plates in New Hampshire)
Disability License Plates and Placards (see Disability License Plates in New Hampshire)

When you purchase a new vehicle, you may require temporary plates to drive legally until your vehicle’s registration has been completed. Temporary plates cost $10 and are valid for 20 days.

How to Apply for License Plates in New Hampshire

You must register your vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in New Hampshire.

You are required to register your vehicle:

Within 20 days of purchase
Within 60 days of becoming a new resident in NH

Applications can be made in person at the nearest DMV. You will be required to submit the following:

Application documents
Proof of title and vehicle ownership
Valid ID (i.e., New Hampshire Driver’s License)
Insurance for vehicle
Payment for fees (see Summary of Fees for License Plates in New Hampshire)

Upon successful registration of your vehicle, you can receive standard license plates to secure to your vehicle. If you have applied for specialty, personalized, or disability license plates, you are required to use a temporary plate until your new ones have arrived.

Specialty License Plates in New Hampshire

There are various specialty license plates available in the state of New Hampshire. The following are examples of the license plates you can apply for:

Military License Plates. For those who were enrolled in the U.S. military to showcase service, honors or experience.
- Purple Heart
- Ex-Prisoner of War
- National Guard
- U.S. Army
Supportive License Plates. For those who wish to show their support to a local charity or cause.
- Support Our Troops
- Conservation Parks Plate
- State Park
Vintage License Plates. For those who own an antique or vintage vehicle.
- Hot rods
- Classic car

When applying for a specialty plate, you may be required to submit supporting document to pass eligibility criteria. For example, military license plates require active or past enrollment with the U.S. forces.

You are also required to make an additional payment for these plates. For example, the State Park Plate requires an annual fee of $85.

Personalized License Plates in New Hampshire

If you want to add a personalized license plate to your vehicle, you can look up available plate numbers online.

Guidelines from the DMV state that plate numbers must:

Have up to 7 characters
Use a combination of letters and numbers
Not have profanity or inappropriate messages

You may be required to submit your reasoning for why you want to personalize your license plate. All applications are reviewed and subject to approval by the DMV.

The cost for personalization is $40 in addition to the standard registration fees.

Disability License Plates in New Hampshire

For people with disabilities, special license plates and placards are issued by the DMV.

If you have a disability, you must submit the appropriate documentation to be eligible for these plates.

Disability license plates and placards are issued for the following reasons:

Disability license plates for people with permanent disabilities, military veterans, and people driving service vehicles for people with disabilities
Placards for people with temporary and permanent disabilities

Those who are issued a disability placard must hang them from their rearview mirror and keep them visible at all times.

Renewing License Plates in New Hampshire

Before your license plates expire, you are required to renew your vehicle with the DMV either in person, online, or by mail.

You’ll be given a new set of decals, which you can apply to the rear of your vehicle.

Transferring License Plates in New Hampshire

If you have purchased a new vehicle in your name, you are allowed to transfer license plates from an older vehicle. You are not allowed to transfer your license plates to another person when you sell your vehicle to someone else.

You can apply for a transfer when you register your new vehicle with the DMV.

If you are not going to transfer your license plates after purchasing a new vehicle, you may be required to surrender your license plates.

Surrendering License Plates in New Hampshire

You may have to surrender your license plates in the following situations:

You move out of state
You cancel your vehicle’s insurance
You sell your vehicle and do not transfer the plates to another vehicle

Contact your local DMV office in your county to get more information about surrendering license plates.

Replacement License Plates in New Hampshire

If your license plates have been lost, damaged, or stolen, you can apply for replacement plates with the DMV.

You must file for a replacement and surrender any plates (if damaged). There is also a replacement fee of $4 for new plates and $1 for new decals.

Looking Up License Plate Numbers in New Hampshire

It is possible to look up license plates in the state of New Hampshire.

If you are looking for available plate numbers, you can use FindByPlate to search in your state or any state across the U.S.

You can also use FindByPlate to obtain additional information about a vehicle and the license plate registered to it.

Car Ownership in New Hampshire

New Hampshire ranks 4th (tied with Montana) on the list of highest rate of car ownership. The top spots go to Idaho and Wyoming (tied). The District of Columbia and New York have the lowest rates of car ownership.
95.20% of households in New Hampshire have at least one vehicle. In Idaho and Wyoming, 96.20% of households have at least one vehicle. The vehicle ownership rate is 64.30% in the District of Columbia.
New Hampshire ranks 22nd (tied with Minnesota) for electric vehicle ownership. Only 0.29% of all registered vehicles in New Hampshire are electric vehicles. California and Hawaii have the most electric vehicles (1.61% and 1.32% respectively).
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton area in Massachusetts and New Hampshire is 3rd on the list of metro areas with the least vehicle ownership. Only 87.28% of households in this area have at least one vehicle.
New Hampshire ranks 46 (tied with Maine) on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US. California and Nevada are in the number one spot (the most expensive states to own a car). Ohio is the least expensive state to own a car.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in New Hampshire is $1,411.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in New Hampshire is $370.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New Hampshire a 2-plate state?

Yes, New Hampshire is a 2-plate state. You are required to display license plates on both the front and rear of your vehicle.

I purchased a vehicle in New Hampshire. How do I drive it home to another state?

Out-of-state residents who purchase a vehicle in New Hampshire through a private sale must obtain a 20-day In-Transit Temporary Plate to drive the vehicle to their home state.

How do I obtain a replacement vehicle registration in New Hampshire?

To obtain a replacement registration for your vehicle, you will need to submit an Application for Copy Registration (RDMV 110) to the DMV. The fee is $15.

How much are vanity plates in New Hampshire?

The cost of vanity plates in New Hampshire is $40 for 12 months plus a $8 one-time plate fee. Some vanity plates have additional yearly fees, for example, Conservation (Moose) plates $30, State Park plates $85, and decal plates (passenger or veteran) $15. If you want to change your plates before the next renewal is due, it will cost you $15 (registration fee) and $8 one-time plate fee (total $23) in addition to the prorated vanity plate fees as applicable.

Does New Hampshire require vehicle inspections?

Yes, New Hampshire requires vehicle inspections. The safety inspection must be completed within 10 days of the vehicle being registered with the DMV. Subsequently, all registered vehicles in New Hampshire are required to undergo an annual safety inspection which must be completed no more than 10 days after the owner’s birth month ends.

If you purchase a vehicle through a private sale, you are required to have it inspected within 10 days of the registration even if there is a valid inspection sticker still present. All antique vehicles in New Hampshire are inspected in April.

Keep in mind that not all mechanics are authorized to perform vehicle safety inspections in New Hampshire. This must be done at a state licensed inspection station or automobile dealer. The cost of the inspection ranges from $20 to $50.

The information about your vehicle’s safety and emission inspection will be electronically submitted to the DMV. You will be issued an inspection sticker if your vehicle passes the test. This inspection sticker is valid for the same time period as your vehicle’s registration. You will receive a copy of the Vehicle Inspection Report as well.

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