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Virginia residents should register their vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
You can choose from a variety of different specialty license plates to show your support for organizations and groups.
If you want to personalize your plates with a custom number, you can look up its availability online.
Sample Virginia License Plate
Types of License Plates in Virginia
All license plates are issued and regulated by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Virginia.
You must register your vehicle with the DMV if you:
Purchase a new vehicle
Become a new resident and own an out-of-state vehicle
The types of Virginia license plates available for registration include:
Temporary license plates
Standard license plates
Specialty license plates
Disability license plates
Personalized license plates
All license plates in Virginia are required to have decal stickers. These must be placed in the upper corners of the plate with the month and year clearly visible.
Temporary License Plates in Virginia
Temporary license plates are required in order to legally drive an unregistered vehicle on the road. You can obtain temporary license plates from an authorized provider (i.e., car dealership or DMV office).
Temporary license plates remain valid for 30 days, which gives you time to process your vehicle’s registration.
If you purchase a vehicle from a dealership, the dealer usually provides you with temporary plates.
Standard License Plates in Virginia
The standard license plate issued by the DMV in Virginia has a white background with dark blue lettering.
When you register your vehicle, these are the plates you receive unless you order personalized, specialty, or disability license plates.
Specialty License Plates in Virginia
There are over 200 specialty license plates available from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Virginia. These plates offer unique designs and provide support for charities, organizations, college scholarships, local parks, and more.
The following are just a few examples:
College License Plates
American National University
Clemson University
Virginia Tech (Go Hokies)
East Carolina University
Ferrum College
Military License Plates
Air Force Cross
Army Reserve
Desert Shield War Veteran
Legion of Merit
Retired National Guard
Special Interest License Plates
Breast Cancer Foundation
Choose Life
Diabetes
Don’t Tread On My Truck
Ducks Unlimited
Other Specialty License Plates
Equipment
Farm Vehicle
Motorcycle Antique (Yellow)
Scenic Patriot
Scenic Autumn
Fees for specialty plates vary by type. They are over and above the regular registration fees that are still required.
For example:
Air Force Cross Plates: $0 annual plate fee (in addition to the standard registration fee). These can be personalized for a fee of $10 annually. You can choose 6 characters (combination of numbers and letters) on this specialty VA plate. To be eligible for this plate, you must provide a copy of the certificate or official record indicating the medal awarded.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Plates: $10 annual plate fee (in addition to the standard registration fee). These can be personalized for a fee of $10 annually. You can choose 6 characters (combination of numbers and letters) on this specialty VA plate. To be eligible for this plate, you must provide a copy of your current membership card.
Disability License Plates in Virginia
If you have a disability, you can apply for special license plates and placards that permit you to park in designated spaces throughout the state.
You will be required to submit medical proof to be eligible.
Personalized License Plates in Virginia
Most license plates in Virginia can be personalized to have a custom plate number. You must submit an application for personalization to the DMV, and your plate number should follow these guidelines:
Up to 7 characters long (some plates must be shorter)
Characters must only be letters or numbers
Must not have profanity or crude suggestions
You can look up available license plates using the search bar above.
Applying for License Plates in Virginia
You have 30 days to register your vehicle with the DMV after purchase or after becoming a new resident.
You can apply for license plates by visiting the local DMV office in your county.
You may be required to provide the following when you register your vehicle:
Proof of insurance
Valid ID
Titling documents
Emissions certification
Completed application forms
Payment for registration fees
Transferring License Plates in Virginia
When you buy a new vehicle, you are not permitted to give away your license plates. In Virginia, the plates belong to a person and not a vehicle. So, your plates belong to you and can be transferred to your new vehicle.
There is an additional fee for transferring your plates when you register your new vehicle.
If you don’t transfer your plates, you may be required to surrender or destroy them.
Surrendering License Plates in Virginia
You will be required to surrender your license plates if you:
Sell your vehicle and do not transfer the plates or use them
Move to another state
Have damaged plates and apply for new ones
You can surrender license plates to a DMV office near you.
Replacement License Plates in Virginia
If your license plates are lost, stolen, or damaged, you should have them replaced by the DMV immediately.
You can replace your plates either in person or by mail.
If you are applying for replacements by mail, be sure to submit a check or money order made out to the DMV—do not send cash.
Stolen license plates should be reported to the police, even though it may not be required. Reporting the theft prevents your stolen plates from being abused and protects you if they are misused.
Renewing License Plates in Virginia
Before your vehicle’s registration expires, you must submit all required documents and payments to renew your license plates.
You will receive new decal stickers after renewing your vehicle. These can be placed over the old sticker on your rear plate.
Fees for License Plates in Virginia
You are required to pay standard registration fees in addition to local taxes, service fees, and any other applicable fees. The following are some of the applicable charges:
Registration fees:
Varies by vehicle weight, vehicle type, model year, type of license plates being registered, and the length of renewal
Transfer Fee: $2
Replacement Fee:
Registration Card: $2 (free online)
Plates: $10
Decals: $1
The fees for license plates in Virginia vary by plate and vehicle. You should contact the DMV to obtain more information and an estimate of what it will cost to register your specific vehicle in Virginia.
Looking Up License Plates in Virginia
If you want a personalized VA license plate and want to check if a particular combination is available, you can use the search bar above.
It is also possible to find information about a vehicle, such as:
Vehicle history
Reported abuses (e.g., theft)
Relevant media (photos, videos, etc.)
Car Ownership in Virginia
Virginia ranks 23rd (tied with Indiana) on the list of states with the highest car ownership rates. Idaho and Wyoming are at the top of the table. The District of Columbia and New York are at the bottom for car ownership rates.
93.90% of households in Virginia have at least one vehicle, compared to 96.20% in Idaho and Wyoming (the states with the highest car ownership rates) and 64.30% in the District of Columbia, where the vehicle ownership rate is the lowest in the US.
Virginia ranks 17th for electric vehicle ownership in the US. Approximately 0.40% of all registered vehicles in Virginia are electric vehicles. California (1.61%) and Hawaii (1.32%) have the highest percentage of electric vehicles. Mississippi and North Dakota are tied for the bottom spot with only 0.05% electric vehicles in both these states.
Virginia is ranked 25th (tied with West Virginia) on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US. California and Nevada are tied for the top spot (most expensive) and Ohio is at the bottom of the list (least expensive).
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in Virginia is $1,486. In New York, the most expensive state for full coverage car insurance, this averages $4,769 per year. Car insurance is the least expensive in Ohio at $1,112 annually on average.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Virginia is $401, slightly lower than Connecticut ($418) which is the most expensive state for car repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cars in Virginia need 2 license plates?
Virginia requires all passenger cars, vans, and trucks to display two license plates, one on the front and one on the rear of the vehicle. However, motorcycles, mopeds, tractor trucks, semitrailers and trailers only require one license plate on the rear.
Are license plate covers legal in Virginia?
License plate covers are not legal in Virginia. Anything that covers or blocks a license plate or prevents it from being easily and clearly visible is illegal.
How much is vehicle registration in Virginia?
In Virginia, the cost of registering a vehicle depends on the weight, as follows:
Passenger vehicle 4,000 lbs or less: $30.75
Passenger vehicle 4,001-6,500 lbs: $35.75
Pickup truck 4,001-6,500 lbs: $35.75
Pickup truck 6,501-10,000 lbs: $44.75
Moped: $18.75
Motorcycle: $24.75
Autocycle: $21.75
Low speed vehicle: $30.75
Antique vehicle: $50 (permanent registration one-time fee)
Trip permit: $5
Late fee: $10
Does Virginia have vehicle inspections?
Some counties and cities in Virginia require emissions inspections. This includes Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Stafford, and Prince William counties. Vehicles registered in the cities of Fairfax, Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas Park, and Manassas also require emissions inspections. The fee for an emission inspection in Virginia is $2.
What is the difference between a vehicle title versus a vehicle registration?
A vehicle title establishes ownership. If the vehicle title is in your name, it means you own the vehicle. A vehicle registration proves the vehicle is authorized to be driven on the state’s roads and highways.
Virginia license plate information is provided by LicenseSearch.org