License Plates & Placards

Many people like to add a personal touch to their vehicles, and specialty or personalized license plates are a great way to do so. Whether you want to show your military pride, school spirit, or just a special nickname, Tennessee offers more than 90 different plates in addition to the standard kind. They are grouped into these categories:

• Clubs and Groups

• Collegiate

• Disabled

• Emergency Management

• Military and Veterans

• Professional Sports

• Most Popular Plates

• New Plates

• Miscellaneous

Application Procedure

Most of the specialty license plates are available at your local county clerk's office. But if you're applying for a personalized standard or specialty plate, you must complete the application and mail it to the Vehicle Services Section at:

• Vehicle Services Section

• Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division

• 44 Vantage Way, Suite 160

• Nashville, TN 37243-8050

Do not mail your renewal notice or regular fee with this application.

The appropriate fees for each specialty plate, and whether that plate can be personalized, are found on the application and on each plate's Web page.

Renewal

To renew your plate, take your renewal notice to your local county clerk's office or mail it to them. Your renewal fee will be on the notice.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Plates

If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must first report it to a law enforcement agency before completing the application for a new one. You'll be required to list the law enforcement agency and the officer to whom you reported your lost plate, and the application must be notarized.

Note that the same application is needed for a decal replacement.

Antique Plates

To qualify for antique plates, a vehicle must:

• Be over 25 years old

• Have a body and engine unaltered from its original specifications

• Be used for antique exhibitions, parades, and other related activities; it may only be used for general transportation on weekends

Only the vehicle owner may apply for the plates. To do so, just complete the antique certification form and take it to a county clerk's location.

The plates have a one-time fee of $26.75, and are permanent as long as there isn't a change in ownership.

Surrendering Your Plates

Tennessee does not require you to surrender your plates if you move out of state.

License plates are associated with the owner of the vehicle, not the vehicle itself. If there is a change in status that precludes you from renewing a specialty plate, or if you decide to revert back to a regular plate, surrender your old plates to your local county clerk.

More Information

For more information, visit Tennessee's Specialty Plate page, or contact the Vehicle Services Section by calling (615) 741-3101 or 1-888-871-3171. You can also visit or write to them at:

• Vehicle Services Section

• Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division

• 44 Vantage Way, Suite 160

• Nashville, TN 37243-8050

LINKS OF INTEREST

• Registering and Titling in Tennessee
• Your Tennessee Driver's License or ID
• Department of Safety Forms and Publications
• New to Tennessee?
• Tennessee Dealers and Auto Industry