H Plates In Tn

Vehicle Registration

Commercial License Plates (H-1) - $127.50 Commercial License Plates (H-2) - $183.25 Farm/Joint License Plates (J-2) - $114.05 Farm/Joint License Plates (J-3) - $186.65 Military License Plates - $29.00 Active Duty Only. Must remit copy of current active duty orders and current LES which reflects TN as home of record to be exempt from wheel tax. Tennessee motorists have the opportunity to display their school or civic pride and contribute to various programs of special interest when renewing their vehicle registration. These plates may be obtained by taking your renewal notice to your local county clerk’s office and paying $35.00 in addition to the regular registration fees. Noting of Lien: Must be Tennessee title. In order to note lien, form SF0943 has to be completed and signed by registered owner. Must have TN title and a security agreement between the lender and borrower. Noting of lien: $22.00; Selling of Vehicle: Registered owner of vehicle signs and prints his/her name and address as the seller. In Tennessee, you may apply for specialty plates in person or by mail depending on whether you personalize your plate. If you have a qualifying medical condition, you may also apply for disability plates. You'll renew a specialty plate along with your registration.

Generally, any vehicle that you use under your operating authority must be registered in Virginia and must be registered as being operated for hire. The only exception is for vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan (i.e., apportioned vehicles). If such a vehicle has been registered in a jurisdiction other than Virginia but will be used in your operations in the Commonwealth, then the cab card (registration card) must display Virginia as one of the apportioned jurisdictions.

Unless the service you are providing or the commodity you are carrying is Exempt, you will be required to obtain Operating Authority from DMV in order to qualify for for-hire vehicle registration. Please refer to For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority Exempt Operations for a description of Exempt operations.

Before registering a vehicle to operate for hire, determine which of the following apply:

  1. The vehicle is currently titled in Virginia; and you have the Virginia title in your possession. In addition, the vehicle is being transferred or sold to a new owner; and it needs to re-titled in the new owner's name. In this case, you do not need any other form in addition to the title. Complete the appropriate section(s) of the title.
  2. The vehicle is currently titled in Virginia; and the title is and will remain in your/the current owner's name. In this case, complete the 'Vehicle Registration Application' (form VSA 14).
  3. The vehicle is currently not titled in Virginia or you do not have the Virginia title in your possession. In this case, complete the 'Application for Certificate of Title and Registration' (form VSA 17A).

If you transport passengers and indicate that your vehicle is leased to a person or company that has Operating Authority, or your vehicle is Exempt from Operating Authority requirements, you will also be required to complete the 'For-Hire Vehicle Registration Request' ( form MCS 115). This form can only be processed by the Motor Carrier Services department at DMV Headquarters. By the next business day, you will be contacted by Motor Carrier Services and advised that either you have received pre-authorization to complete the vehicle registration transaction at your preferred DMV service outlet, or that there are other items that must be completed and/or provided in order to qualify for for-hire vehicle registration.

Operating Authority Registration

Vehicles registered under IRP (apportioned registration) are required to obtain Intrastate Operating Authority, unless they are exempt. However, they are not required to be issued Intrastate Operating Authority registrations.

For all other vehicles, the vehicle registration cards will display your operating authority information. You must pay an annual fee for each vehicle you use under your operating authority. The fee is $3 for passenger carrier vehicles and $10 for property carrier vehicles. The fee will be included in your vehicle registration fee.

For-Hire License Plates

Except for vehicles registered under IRP (apportioned registration), the vehicles used under your operating authority must be issued license plates that are appropriate for the type of operating authority you hold. The following is a list of the type(s) of license plates that you can obtain for each authority type.

License Plates for Passenger Carriers

  1. Operating Authority Type: Common Carrier - Regular Route
    License Plate Type(s):
    • Common Carrier (E) For Hire
    • Permanent Common Carrier (E) For Hire
  2. Operating Authority Type: Common Carrier - Irregular Route
    License Plate Type(s):
    • Permanent Passenger/Property For Hire
  3. Operating Authority Type: Contract Passenger
    License Plate Type(s):
  4. Operating Authority Type: Employee Hauler
    License Plate Type(s):
  5. Operating Authority Type: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Provider
    License Plate Type(s):
    • Designated Non-Emergency Medical Transportation For-Hire
  6. Operating Authority Type: Non-Profit/Tax Exempt Passenger
    License Plate Type(s):
  7. Operating Authority Type: Sight Seeing
    License Plate Type(s):
  8. Operating Authority Type: Taxicab
    License Plate Type(s):

License Plates for Property Carriers

  1. Operating Authority Type: Household Goods
    License Plate Type(s):
    • Tractor
    • Tractor Permanent
    • Truck (vehicle weight of 7,501 pounds or more)
    • Truck Permanent (vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more)
    • Truck Handicap
    • Passenger/Property For Hire (vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less)
    • Great Seal For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or less)
    • Scenic For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or less)
  2. Operating Authority Type: Property
    License Plate Type(s):
    • Tractor
    • Tractor Permanent
    • Truck (vehicle weight of 7,501 pounds or more)
    • Truck Permanent (vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more)
    • Truck Handicap
    • Tow Truck for Hire
    • Permanent Tow Truck for Hire
    • Passenger/Property For Hire (vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less)
    • Great Seal For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or less)
    • Scenic For Hire (vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or less)
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SUMMARY: Tennessee License Plates

Apply for license plates by registering your vehicle in person at your county clerk's office. Renew your tags by renewing your registration online, by mail, or in person. When you get a new vehicle, you can transfer your TN plates. You must replace your plates and decals if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Keep reading to find out more about license plates and tags from the Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR) Vehicle Services Division.

Looking for personalized or vanity plates? Learn more about types of specialty plates in TN or how to apply for specialty plates.

Are you eligible for disability parking? Get application information and other helpful details on our Disabled Plates and Placards page.

Types of Tennessee License Plates

Vehicles in TN must have a license plate on the rear and have the following decals attached to it:

  • Your county of registration at the bottom.
  • The month your plate expires in the upper left corner.
  • The expiration year in the upper right corner.

In addition to the standard license plate design, the TN DOR offers several specialty plates, including personalized plates and organizational plates.

Check out our pages on types of specialty plates and special plates application for more information.

The TN DOR also issues disabled parking plates for those with a qualifying disability.

Temporary Tags

When you buy a vehicle, you can get temporary tags from:

  • Your vehicle dealer.
  • The TN DOR.

A vehicle dealer can issue Dealer Drive-out Tags, which allow you to operate your vehicle for up to 30 days while waiting for your Tennessee license plate. The fee is $5.50.

The TN DOR may give you a Temporary Operation Permit if you have a problem with your vehicle title. Learn more about these permits on the TN DOR website.

Apply for License Plates

H Plates In Tn

Applying for license plates in Tennessee is part of the vehicle registration process.

You're required to register your vehicle at your county clerk's office when you move to TN or get a new vehicle.

For complete details, including fees and required documents, see our vehicle registration page.

Renew Tennessee Vehicle Tags

You must renew your tags by renewing your vehicle registration before your license plate expires.

The TN DOR offers registration renewal:

  • Online.
  • By mail.
    OR
  • In person.

After you pay your renewal fees, you'll get a new expiration decal to put over the old one.

See our page on registration renewal for more information.

Replace Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Plates

If your Tennessee license plate or decal has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you can apply for replacements from your TN county clerk's office.

You MUST report lost or stolen tags to local law enforcement.

To get replacement license plates or decals, you will need:

H Plates In Tn Tennessee

  • The Application for Duplicate/Replacement License Plate or Decal (Form RV-F1315301). The application requires:
    • Certification that you reported loss or theft to the police.
    • A notarized signature.
  • Your Certificate of Registration.
  • Payment for the applicable fee. Fees vary by county.

Contact your Tennessee county clerk's office for county fees and submission instructions.

Transfer or Surrender TN Plates

If you no longer have your vehicle, you can either transfer or surrender your license plates to the Tennessee DOR.

Transfer

You CAN transfer your plates from a car you sold or traded to another car you've just bought. You CANNOT transfer your license plates to another person.

To transfer your tags, take your current registration along with the other documents required to register your car to your TN county clerk's office.

H Plates In Tn Map

You will have to pay:

  • Any difference in registration fees.
  • The $1 transfer fee.

NOTE: You may also be responsible for additional title fees, taxes, and service fees.

Surrender

You must surrender your license plates if:

  • You're no longer eligible for a special plate, such as a disability parking plate.
  • You’d like to swap a personalized plate with a standard plate.

Surrender your plate at your TN county clerk's office along with payment for any county service fees.

Forms

RV-F1315301
Application for Duplicate/Replacement License Plate or Decal
Apply for a duplicate/replacement Tennessee license plate OR decal.

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

H Plates In Tn State Of Tennessee

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H Plates In Tn State Of Tennessee

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