NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina drivers will no longer be required to carry a physical vehicle registration card or display a registration sticker on their license plate beginning Oct. 1.
The change is part of the state budget signed into law by Gov. Josh Stein on July 7 and transitions the state to a digital vehicle registration system.
According to the new law, the General Assembly approved the change to “reduce administrative costs, streamline vehicle registration processes, and enhance efficiency by eliminating motor vehicle registration cards and motor vehicle registration renewal stickers.”
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles will continue to maintain vehicle registration records.
Drivers who want a printed copy of their registration information may still obtain one through an online portal or in person for a printing and mailing fee.
The change does not affect annual vehicle registration renewals or required vehicle inspections, which will remain in place under the new law.
North Carolina is joining states such as Pennsylvania, Idaho, Connecticut and New Jersey that have phased out vehicle registration stickers. By eliminating registration stickers, Pennsylvania taxpayers saved $1.1 million in 2016 by reducing the costs associated with producing and mailing physical stickers.