Alabama License Plates
Whether you’re looking for standard fare or are hoping to rock a vintage tag, Jerry has all the information you need on license plates in Alabama.
Written by Cassandra Hamilton
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Whether you’re looking to sport the newly-designed standard plate or support a special interest like state parks,
Alabama
has a license plate for you.License plates are a way to identify your vehicle, but they’re also a way to show off your personality or support a cause. From
Mobile
to Huntsville
, Alabama has a multitude of customization options for your license plate. 
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What are Alabama license plates and why do I need them?
A license plate is an identification for your car. License plates are needed to register your vehicle with the
Alabama MVD
and show others what kind of registration you have as well as a splash of your personality, depending on if you customized your license plate or not.License plates are also useful for
determining fault
after an accident, and they’re used by law enforcement to find stolen vehicles. Alabama is one of the states that does not require two plates for a registered vehicle. Since 1963, motorists have only needed one rear license plate for their vehicles. Let’s go over what your options are for a license plate, including how to get an Alabama custom plate.
What license plates does Alabama have?
Alabama has multiple categories for license plates. Some of them include:
- Standard plates: These have recently been redesigned from the blue and green landscape to a beachscape. Look for the new design starting in 2022.
- Distinctive plates: These are special interest plates that promote specific causes or certain professions, like teaching.
- Collegiate plates: Some colleges and universities have custom license plates in Alabama.
- Military plates: Choose a plate based on the campaign or branch of the military in which you served.
Standard license plates
- Beachscape plate: This plate was released in January 2022.
- Landscape plate: This blue-and-green tag is the most common Alabama plate, having served as the standard plate for years before the beachscape redesign.
- Truck/Taxi/Motorhome: This white plate with black text is issued to most non-standard passenger vehicles.
Special interest license plates
- Breast Cancer: This pink tag benefits the Joy to Life Foundation, an Alabama charity that focuses on raising awareness and providing funds for free mammograms.
- Ronald McDonald House: The proceeds from this tag go to creating a “home away from home” for children fighting cancer.
- Farming Feeds Alabama: Rocking this plate sends funds to the Alabama Farmers Federation to promote the support of farming in Alabama.
- Habitat for Humanity: This organization builds homes for those in need across the country. Purchasing this tag supports the organization’s efforts in Alabama.
- Stop Domestic Violence: Proceeds from this tag go to the issuing county’s District Attorney’s office to support local efforts to eradicate domestic violence.
Vintage license plates
While there are plenty of vintage Alabama license plates for sale, you’ll need a vintage vehicle to match it according to
Alabama code 40-12-297
. This means if you’re looking for a black Alabama license plate from 1966, 1961, or other years, you’ll need a car whose model year matches the year of the license plate you have. If you don’t have a car like this, you can still display a black Alabama license plate in your home—just not on your car.
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How do I get an Alabama license plate?
It’s easy to get your first Alabama license plate—just register your vehicle with the Alabama Motor Vehicle Division! But what if you want to change your existing Alabama license plate? Plate registrations expire every five years, at which time you’re free to apply for a new tag.
To register your vehicle in Alabama, you’ll need:
- Your title
- Your driver’s license showing your residency in the county you’re registering the vehicle in
- Proof of insurance
- Odometer disclosure
- Payment for all fees
If you want to further personalize your tag with a custom message, you can
reserve the message online
. Note that you only have five days to claim your message, or else it’s released to the public again.“Jerryis an awesome tool to find rates personalized to your specific needs! I’m literally still sitting at the dealership and already finalized my new insurance so I can drive my new car off the lot.” —Charity R.
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How much do Alabama license plates cost?
A standard Alabama tag will cost you $5. To get a specialty tag, you’ll have to pay an additional $50, which goes to the organization sponsoring the tag.
Do I need two license plates in Alabama?
Alabama only requires one rear tag for vehicles registered in the state. This has been the law since 1963.
