North Carolina DMV moving to all-electronic vehicle registration Oct. 1

Raleigh, NC  (WWAY) — North Carolina drivers will no longer receive license plate registration stickers or printed registration cards beginning Thursday as the state moves to an all-electronic vehicle registration system.

According to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles, the change takes effect Oct. 1 and applies when drivers register a vehicle for the first time or renew an existing registration. The change was approved by the North Carolina General Assembly as part of legislation aimed at reducing administrative costs and streamlining the registration process.

Vehicle registrations will remain valid as long as required registration fees and vehicle property taxes are paid on time, according to the NCDMV.

Drivers will not be required to carry a physical registration card. Law enforcement officers in North Carolina already use electronic systems to verify a vehicle’s registration status, while inspection stations will be able to use registration renewal notices to look up vehicles.

Drivers who still want a paper copy will have several options. Beginning Oct. 1, motorists can download a PDF of their registration online for free. A printed copy can also be obtained at a license plate agency or requested by mail for $5.

The DMV says eliminating stickers and printed registration cards is expected to reduce state costs and help combat fraud and counterfeit registration stickers.