Worried about what to do if your license plate is revoked in North Carolina? First, you must obtain liability insurance through a North Carolina auto insurance provider. Proof of that insurance or renewal needs to be sent to and received by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles before you pay the fines and penalties associated with lapsed insurance.
If you pay the fines on time and your insurance company submits proof of insurance, you may be able to keep your plates.
- You need to maintain continuous auto insurance coverage in North Carolina to avoid having your plates revoked.
- Your auto insurance provider is required to report lapses in insurance to the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
- If your license plates are revoked in North Carolina, obtain insurance coverage, ensure proof of insurance is sent to the DMV and pay any associated fees and fines.
What to do if your license plate is revoked in North Carolina
North Carolina, like other states, has specific requirements and coverage minimums that drivers need regarding auto insurance. Registered vehicle owners are expected to meet these minimums and have current insurance before driving. A lack of car insurance coverage is one reason that vehicle registration and license plates can be revoked.
In fact, when you change insurance carriers or have a lapse in your coverage, your insurance provider must notify North Carolina’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Once the DMV receives this information, they will send the vehicle owner a liability insurance termination notification, or Form FS-5. The owner has 10 days to respond from the date listed on the notification. That process means providing proof of insurance and paying fees online.
Failure to register or respond within those 10 days will result in losing your license plates for 30 days. After those 30 days, to get your plates back, you must:
- Provide proof of insurance coverage using Form FS-1. This form needs to be sent to the DMV by your insurance company. Vehicle owners can contact the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Customer Contact Center (919-715-7000) to make sure the form has been received.
- Provide the license plate number associated with the insurance lapse and the control number on the insurance termination notice.
- Pay a $50, $100, or $150 civil penalty fee depending on how many lapses you have received in the past three years.
- Pay a $50 service fee and the appropriate license plate fee.
What’s important to remember is that you need a North Carolina car insurance policy in place before you can get your license plates returned. Keep continuous coverage on your motor vehicle, so that you won’t end up with these issues again in the future.
How do I reinstate a revoked license plate in North Carolina?
A driver can request an administrative hearing if their North Carolina license plate has been suspended or revoked due to a lapse in insurance coverage.
Can you pay the insurance lapse fee online in North Carolina?
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicle’s online liability insurance service allows owners of vehicles registered in North Carolina to pay fines associated with insurance lapses. There is a $3 fee per online transaction.
The following information is needed 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.
To prove liability coverage, the vehicle owner may request their insurance carrier to electronically submit a Certificate of Insurance (Form FS-1). Call the NCDMV Customer Contact Center at (919) 715-7000 from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays to confirm that NCDMV has received this form.
Is it illegal to drive without a license plate in North Carolina?
Driving without a license plate is illegal in North Carolina. According to North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 20, Motor Vehicles § 20-111, it is unlawful to operate a vehicle on a highway without a current registration plate or registration card. This offense is classified as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Final thoughts
Never let your car insurance lapse in North Carolina — the state’s liability insurance law is strictly enforced. Insurers will notify the registered owner and the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles if a car’s liability coverage is cancelled.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- North Carolina Department of Transportation. “Insurance Requirements.” Accessed September 2024
- North Carolina Department of Transportation. “Liability Insurance Help.” Accessed September 2024
- North Carolina Department of Transportation. “Registration Service Stops.” Accessed September 2024
- North Carolina Department of Transportation. “North Carolina’s Department of Motor Vehicles.” Accessed September 2024
- North Carolina Department of Transportation. “Liability Insurance Help” Accessed September 2024
Get advice from an experienced insurance professional. Our experts will help you navigate your insurance questions with clarity and confidence.
Browse all FAQs