Eligibility for Alabama License Plates
Alabama issues one rear license plate for each registered vehicle. The Alabama Department of Revenue (ALDOR) sets statewide rules, but county licensing officials conduct actual transactions at local offices in all 67 counties.
- Residency: New residents must register within 30 days of entering the state, according to Ala. Code § 40-12-262. Anyone who acquires a vehicle already in Alabama has 20 calendar days to register it under § 32-6-61. Active-duty military personnel stationed in Alabama may maintain valid registration in their home state or choose to title and register here.
- Vehicle: Passenger cars, pickups up to 12,000 pounds, motorcycles, motorhomes, commercial trucks, and trailers are eligible for registration. A certificate of title must be issued before registration can be processed for any vehicle subject to the Alabama title law. Salvage and scrap titles have their own application path through ALDOR.
- Applicant: A licensing official or deputy verifies the VIN and ownership documentation (bill of sale, assigned title, or certificate of origin) at each change of ownership. Alabama liability insurance must be in force, verified through the state’s online insurance verification system before a plate is issued.
- Plate Categories: In addition to the standard passenger plate, ALDOR offers over 200 special plates with statutory status, including plates for disabled veterans, Gold Star families, Purple Heart recipients, firefighters, vintage vehicles, and university plates. Each category has its own eligibility criteria defined in Section 6, Subsection 6 and beyond of Title 32.
How to Get a License Plate in Alabama?
The initial registration is done through your county’s tag issuing office. Alabama does not centralize transactions on-site at a state DMV office.
- Bring the assigned Alabama certificate of title (or manufacturer’s certificate of origin for a new vehicle), proof of Alabama liability insurance, and your driver’s license. For trucks and tractors weighing 55,000 pounds or more, you also need IRS Form 2290 proving payment of the federal heavy vehicle use tax.
- A licensing official verifies the VIN and ownership documents at the counter. Alabama does not require safety or emissions inspections for registration.
- Pay the registration fee, ad valorem tax, and any local issuance fee. You receive a license plate, registration receipt (which must remain in the vehicle per § 40-12-260), and month/year decals.
- Renewals are done annually, staggered by the first letter of the owner’s last name. Renewal months run from January to November per § 32-6-61. Not all counties send renewal notices; the responsibility to renew on time lies with the owner regardless.
Fees in the next section add to these steps.
How Much Does a License Plate Cost in Alabama?
The base registration fee is the straightforward part; the ad valorem tax imposed on top is where the total amount grows, as it varies based on the county’s millage rate and the vehicle’s market value.
- Passenger cars cost $23 for the lightest class, increasing by weight to $105. Motorcycles cost $15. Travel and utility trailers cost $12; permanent trailers are $60.
- The ad valorem tax applies to each registration. Private passenger vehicles are assessed at 15% of market value; all others at 20%. The actual tax depends on the combined state, county, and municipal millage rate, so the dollar amount varies significantly across all 67 Alabama counties.
- An annual additional fee of $50 covers personalized plates (Ala. Code § 32-6-150). Most special plates also have a $50 annual fee plus $5 when a metal plate is made, though some categories have a lower fee.
- Battery electric vehicles pay $203 annually in addition to the standard fee; plug-in hybrids pay $103. Both amounts increase by $3 every four years starting July 1, 2023 (§ 40-12-242).
- Issuing a title costs $15 (§ 32-8-6), plus a $1.50 fee for the designated agent and a $3 fee for the licensing official. The state transfer fee is $1.25, and counties may add their own local issuance fees.
- Late registration or renewal incurs a $15 penalty plus interest.
Can I Get a License Plate Online in Alabama?
Online registration in Alabama is limited and depends on the county. The first issuance of a license plate cannot be completed online; you must visit the county licensing office for VIN verification and title processing.
For renewals, some counties offer online systems. The ALDOR vehicle licensing offices directory indicates which counties support online renewals. Jefferson County runs its own portal at tagit.jccal.org; Mobile and Shelby counties operate through altags.com and license.shelbyal.com, respectively. Larger counties are more likely to offer online renewals than rural ones.
Personalized messages on plates can be reserved through the ALDOR PROS portal on MyDMV. Once ALDOR approves the message, you have five calendar days to visit your licensing office, pay all fees, and complete the order. The plate is mailed to you within six to eight weeks.
Mail-in renewal packets should be sent to your county licensing office, not to ALDOR in Montgomery. Include the renewal notice (if received), payment by check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If Alabama can process your renewal online through your county’s portal, it’s a faster path; otherwise, the county office window is the fallback for all other transactions.