North Carolina to Release America 250 License Plate
The state's America 250 plate is expected to become available around the start of 2027, with the DMV ordering nearly 495,000 plates.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in National Parks
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North Carolina will release an America 250 license plate around the start of 2027, following a bill signed into law by Gov. Josh Stein on July 7, 2026. The Division of Motor Vehicles ordered 494,897 plates at a cost of just over $1.3 million.
Why it matters
The plate marks the state's contribution to America's semiquincentennial celebration and adds a new option among the state's basic license plates. A second bill directed the DMV to make America 250 one of four basic plates.
The DMV ordered 494,897 America 250 plates from the N.C. Correctional Institute for Women at a cost of just over $1.3 million. As of last May, about 1 million First in Freedom plates and 5.6 million First in Flight plates were in circulation.
The players
Josh Stein
Josh Stein is the Governor of North Carolina, who signed the America 250 plate bill into law.
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is the state agency responsible for designing, ordering, and distributing license plates to residents.
The details
The General Assembly ordered the DMV to design and produce the plate in early July 2026, and the design includes the Lin Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The plate was manufactured at the N.C. Correctional Institute for Women in Raleigh, and there is no extra charge once a vehicle owner has paid all title and registration fees.
Timeline
July 7, 2026: Gov. Josh Stein signed the America 250 plate bill into law.
August 2026: A second bill directing the DMV to create the plate was signed.
Jan. 1, 2027: The DMV targets distribution of plates to more than 130 license plate agency offices.
Early 2027: The America 250 plate is expected to become available.
Seasonal Patterns
The America 250 plate follows the state's 2015 First in Freedom plate, which about 1 million vehicles carried as of last May. Its release is timed to the national semiquincentennial celebration held on July 4, 2026.
Residents who want the America 250 plate will need to wait until around the start of 2027, when plates reach local license plate agency offices. Because there is no extra charge once title and registration fees are paid, drivers will not pay a premium to switch to the new design.
The takeaway
Drivers who want the America 250 plate can plan for its arrival in early 2027 without any added fee beyond standard title and registration costs.
What happens next
The DMV is pushing to distribute plates to more than 130 license plate agency offices by Jan. 1, 2027, with the plate expected to become available around the start of 2027.
Further reading
Explore the state's natural landmarks in our National Parks coverage, which connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway depicted on the new plate.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hickory Daily Record.
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Would you choose a special America 250 license plate for your vehicle?
