Types of Special License Plates in Tennessee

SUMMARY: Tennessee Specialty License Plates

Several types of specialty license plates are available to vehicle owners in Tennessee. You can order personalized license plates and tags for a variety of organizations. If you are eligible, you can get military plates or antique license plates.

Read below for detailed information about types of specialty license plates available from the Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR).

NOTES:

Personalized Plates in Tennessee

In TN, you can order personalized license plates. Your custom tag number must be 3 to 7 characters long (3 to 6 characters for motorcycle plates) and cannot be the same as an existing plate number.

NOTE: The TN DOR can reject your personalized plate number for any reason.

Fees for custom tags are charged IN ADDITION to standard registration fees in TN:

  • Personalized standard plate: $35.
  • Personalized specialty plate: varies by plate.

You'll also pay a $1 service fee and any fees assessed by your Tennessee county clerk's office.

Learn about personalized plate applications by visiting Applying for Specialty License Plates.

Organizational License Plates

The TN DOR offers a variety of specialty license plates supporting a range of organizations and groups. Plates are available for:

  • Charities and non-profit organizations.
  • Colleges and Greek organizations.
  • Professional and college sports teams.

Charity & Non-Profit License Plates

You can choose from a wide variety of tags to show your support for a charity, non-profit organization, special group, or cause.

A portion of the fees you pay goes to the sponsoring organization.

License plates are available for:

The specialty plate fee is the same for most plates, but the donations from those fees vary. For example:

  • The Fraternal Order of Police plate:
    • $61.50 annually.
    • Portion of fee goes to the Tennessee FOP Charitable Foundation.
  • The Environment/State Parks plate:
    • $61.50 annually.
    • $35 is given to Tennessee State Parks.

You can also personalize most specialty plates for an additional fee.

For application information, see our Applying for Specialty License Plates in TN page.

Collegiate Plates

The TN DOR has a variety of tags available for you to show your support for a university or Greek organization.

These include tags for:

The collegiate plate fee is the same for most of the plates, but the funds are allocated differently. For example:

  • The Middle Tennessee State University plate:
    • $61.50 annually.
    • $35 is split between the TN Arts Commission (80%) and the Highway Fund (20%).
  • The Alpha Kappa Alpha license plate:
    • $61.50 annually.
    • $35 benefits the state's historically black colleges.

You can personalize your collegiate plate for an additional fee.

To learn more about ordering a collegiate license plate, visit Applying for Specialty License Plates.

Sports Plates

Specialty plates are also available for professional and college sports teams in Tennessee. The TN DOR issues plates for the following:

  • The Nashville Predators.
    • $61.50 annually.
    • $35 goes to the Nashville Predator's Foundation.
  • The Tennessee Titans.
    • $61.50 annually.
    • $35 benefits various organizations chosen by the team.
  • The University of Tennessee Football Championship.
    • $61.50 annually.
    • $35 goes toward University of Tennessee scholarships.
  • The University of Tennessee Women's Basketball Championship.
    • $61.50 annually.
    • $35 goes toward scholarships at the college.
  • The Memphis Grizzlies.
    • $61.50 annually.
    • $35 goes toward the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation.

Personalization is available for an additional fee.

Visit Applying for Specialty License Plates for application instructions.

Military License Plates in TN

The TN DOR has a variety of military member and honor plates available to veterans and service members.

Some examples of the military plates available are:

  • Active/Retired/Honorable Discharge plates for each branch of service.
  • Bosnia Veterans plate.
  • Bronze Star license plate.
  • POW-Former Prisoner of War tag.

To qualify for any military plate, you must have proof of eligibility that shows your service, participation, and/or honor. Proof can be:

  • Your discharge papers.
  • Your valid military ID.
  • Certification by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

NOTE: If you're an active member of the military, you must provide proof of eligibility every time you renew your license plate.

Fees for military plates vary, for example:

  • POW plate fees:
    • 1st license plate: Free to order and renew.
    • 2nd license plate: $28.15 to order and $26.50 to renew.
  • The Active/Retired/Honorable Discharge plates fees:
    • $29.80 to order.
    • $26.50 to renew.

Most military veteran plates CANNOT be personalized.

For a complete list of available military plates and fees, including fees for motorcycle plates, see the TN DOR website.

See our page Applying for Specialty License Plates for complete application details.

Antique Auto Plates in TN

You can get antique auto license plates IF your vehicle is:

  • More than 25 years old.
  • A passenger vehicle OR motorcycle.
  • Used ONLY for car shows, parades, and similar events.
    • It CAN be used for general transportation on Saturdays and Sundays.
  • NOT modified from its original engine or body.

The fee for an antique auto plate is $32.75. You CANNOT personalize an antique plate.

See Applying for Specialty License Plates to learn more.

Emergency Personnel Plates

Tennessee has several specialty license plates for active emergency and safety personnel.

NOTE: License plates are also available for members of organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police.

Available emergency personnel plates include:

  • Emergency Trauma Physician plate:
    • Initial fee: $29.80.
    • Renewal fee: $26.50.
  • Firefighter license plate: $26.50.
  • Rescue Squad or Rescue Squad Officer tags: $26.50 annually.

For a complete list of emergency and safety personnel plates and their fees, visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue website.

Most emergency personnel plates CANNOT be personalized.

Visit Applying for Specialty License Plates in Tennessee for application details.

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