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- A lapse in car insurance coverage will almost always result in a premium increase when you reinstate your coverage.
- You must surrender your license plates in North Carolina if your insurance has lapsed.
- You must show proof of insurance and pay the required fees to get your license plates back in North Carolina.
Having a lapse in your car insurance coverage is never a good idea. Insurance companies hate to see a lapse in coverage and will charge you accordingly when you decide to reinstate your policy.
In addition to higher premiums, an insurance lapse in North Carolina may result in losing your license plates and $100 in fees before you can get them back. Keep reading to see what you need to know about returning your license plates in North Carolina.
How long do you have to turn in your license plates in North Carolina?
You have 10 days to prove you have new car insurance or turn in your license plates if you have not secured new coverage. If you fail to respond to the notice and prove you have new insurance in place within 10 days, there are steep penalties to pay.
According to the North Carolina DMV, failure to respond within the required time – 10 days – can result in losing your license plates for at least 30 days and possible registration suspension.
After the revocation period, you must pay a $50 restoration fee, a $50 service fee and standard license plate fees before you can legally get back on the road. The service fee can be avoided by surrendering your license plate to the DMV during the 10-day period after receiving a notice of revocation.
What is the insurance penalty for a lapse in insurance coverage in North Carolina?
Even a short lapse can more than double your costs once you reinstate coverage. A lapse in car insurance in North Carolina comes with a steep price:
- Average annual rate with continuous coverage: $1,741
- Rate after a 45-day lapse: $2,649
- Increase: $908 (52%)
Penalties for not returning plates after an insurance lapse
The fees for not returning your license plates in North Carolina — in addition to a $50 restoration fee — are below:
- First lapse: $50
- Second lapse: $100
- Subsequent lapses: $150
If you don’t return your North Carolina license plates after an insurance lapse, the DMV applies escalating penalties. Here’s what you can expect:
| Lapse Count | Fee | Additional Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| First lapse | $50 | $50 restoration fee + $50 service fee + standard plate fees |
| Second lapse | $100 | Same as above |
| Subsequent lapses | $150 | Same as above |
You can avoid the $50 service fee by surrendering your plates to the DMV within the 10-day grace period.
What are the requirements for returning your plates to DMV?
The following list contains the requirements for returning your license plates to DMV:
- The owner must furnish a copy of their out-of-state registration reflecting the vehicle has been registered by the owner in their new state within 30 days of the cancellation or expiration of the owner’s North Carolina motor vehicle liability policy.
- The owner must submit a copy of their current out-of-state registration to NCDMV.
- The owner must return the valid North Carolina license plate or submit an affidavit (MVR18A) indicating that the North Carolina registration plate has been lost, stolen or destroyed.
- If you are leaving the state for good or no longer driving, you must return your license plates to the state.
How do you return license plates to the North Carolina DMV?
You can return your license plates to the North Carolina DMV in person at any DMV location or by mail. If you a returning your license plate by mail, you can send it to the address below:
- NCDMV Vehicle Registration Section
- Renewal Title & Plate Unit
- 3148 Mail Service Center
- Raleigh, North Carolina 27697-3148
There is also an option to leave your license plate in a drop box. The address for the drop box is below:
- North Raleigh License Plate Agency
- 4121 New Bern Ave.
- Suite 151
- Raleigh, North Carolina
If you need a receipt, then make sure to visit a DMV.
FAQs: License plates in North Carolina
Can I transfer my plates to a new car?
According to the North Carolina DMV, you can transfer a license plate to another vehicle if the insurance on the new vehicle was current while the insurance was canceled on the old vehicle. In short, there must not be an interruption in auto insurance coverage.
Can you appeal a revoked license plate in North Carolina?
If your license plate was revoked and you want it reinstated because you believe your lapse in coverage was not your fault, you can request a hearing. You must file a liability hearing request form and pay a $60 fee. You can also call the NCDMV at 919-715-7000 to request a hearing if you believe the lapse in coverage was not your fault.
Can you drive in North Carolina with an insurance lapse?
You cannot legally drive in North Carolina if you are not carrying car insurance, even if it is for only a few days or weeks.
What happens if you don’t return your license plates in NC?
There are fees for not returning your plate if your insurance lapses, which go up each time your coverage lapses. If you let your insurance lapse more than once, the fees will increase. The NCDMV assesses penalties for lapsed coverage based on the number of prior lapses a registered owner has had on their vehicle within three years.
Can you pay the insurance lapse fee online?
You can use North Carolina’s Division of Motor Vehicle’s online liability insurance service to pay any fines you owe from lapsed insurance coverage. According to North Carolina’s DMV website, you will need to provide the following info to pay the penalty:
- The control number of the insurance termination notice (Form FS5) from NCDMV
- The license plate number of the vehicle associated with the insurance lapse.
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