Can you keep your license tags if sell a vehicle in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, the license plates belong to the vehicle and not to the owner. When a sale or transfer of a vehicle occurs, the license plates must remain with the vehicle. The seller, within 10 days of the sale, is responsible for removing their license plates prior to the vehicle's transfer.

According to the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the seller retains possession of the license plate and is required to return it to the DMV. Failure to return the license plate may result in penalties or citations.

This procedure differs from other states where the license plates may stay with the owner upon the sale of a vehicle. In North Carolina, the license plate is specific to the vehicle itself and must remain with it during transfer or sale.