New Hampshire License Plates

New Hampshire has quite a few customizable options when it comes to choosing a license plate. From decals to vanity plates, here are the details.
Written by Macy Fouse
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you’re tired of the classic green and blue
New Hampshire
license plate and want to jazz up your vehicle, the DMV has plenty of other plate options for you to choose from. 
License plates may serve as an identification number, but that doesn’t mean it always has to be boring. From Berlin to
Nashua
, drivers in New Hampshire have quite a few options when it comes to customizing their plates.  
Here to lay out all of your best options is car insurance
super app
and license plate expert,
Jerry
. We’ll go over all you should know about license plates in the Granite State, from covering all of your different options to getting one of your own.
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What are New Hampshire license plates and why do I need them?

Basically, a license plate is like your car’s ID. License plates also confirm that your car is legal and registered, connecting your vehicle to you as the owner. Police also need license plates to track down stolen vehicles as well as to identify suspects if you’re ever in a
hit-and-run accident
According to
New Hampshire law
, you need to mount a registration plate to the front and back of your vehicle in the majority of cases. If you’ve just moved to the Granite State or you copped a new set of wheels, you need to make sure you have the right license plates before you hit the road. Let’s see what options you have in New Hampshire.

What license plates does New Hampshire have?

New Hampshire has quite a few different plate types, but here are your
main options
  • Standard plates are the standard-issue passenger plates for New Hampshire, generally with the blue and green mountain design. A simple white plate with green text is issued to specific vehicles, like ambulances, agriculture vehicles, handicap vehicles, trailers, and other commercial vehicles. 
  • Decal plates
    apply to any special interest license plates or veteran plates. These are regular license plates with a 3"x3" square on the left to place a special decal from an authorized organization. Decal plates cost an additional $15. Decals are not available at DMV offices—you’ll need to either reach out to the specific organization you’ll be supporting or the NH Office of Veteran Services for the decal you want. 
  • Vanity plates
    are any of the New Hampshire license plates that are eligible for customizable text. Vanity plates cost $40 for a 12-month period.
  • Conservation (aka
    Moose Plates
    ): For just $30 per year, you could spice up your regular New Hampshire plate with a moose logo on the left in support of the state’s conservation and heritage efforts. 
  • State Parks
    : Support the state parks system and enjoy free admission to the day-use parks with a parks plate—a regular NH license plate with the state parks logo on the left costing $85 a year.
  • Conservation parks: Can’t choose between your love of conservation and the state parks? Get this combination plate ($115 per year) with the moose logo on the left and the parks logo on the right. 
  • Veteran: In accordance with
    RSA 261-C
    , veterans qualify for a specific veteran's license plate which only expires upon the veteran’s death.
  • Vintage: Antique vehicles that are older than 25 years old or modified street rod cars manufactured before 1949 can qualify for a special New Hampshire plate.
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Decal license plates

  • Veteran: The New Hampshire DMV issues veteran decal plates to those who served in any branch of the military or veterans awarded with Medals of Valor, including a Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Silver Star. Gold Star family members can also qualify for a veteran decal.
  • Cancer awareness & research: Purchasing decals from organizations like
    Sophia's Fund
    or the
    NH Breast Cancer Coalition
    go toward cancer treatments and support for patients and families.
  • Education:
    Keene State College
    , the
    University of New Hampshire Foundation
    , and
    Plymouth State University
    all have available decals for your plate to show your support as an alum—or just someone who values higher education! 
  • Conservation: The fee to get a
    Harris Center for Conservation Education
    plate decal goes to—you guessed it—conservation education. It’ll also support research, land, and wildlife conservation efforts, community programs, and so much more.
  • Organ donor: Get your “Donate Life” decal and be an advocate for organ donation for a tax-deductible donation of $30.
  • Firefighters: If you’re a current or retired New Hampshire firefighter, you can contribute to the
    New Hampshire State Firemen's Association
    by adding this decal to your plate.
  • Charity plates: Show your support of your favorite charity—like the
    NH Food Bank
    ,
    New England Patriots Foundation
    ,
    NH Rotary
    , or
    Seacoast Youth Services
    —and add some flair to your New Hampshire license plate.
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How do I get a New Hampshire license plate?

If you need a New Hampshire license plate for the first time, you’ll have to
register your vehicle
through the state DMV first. This includes going to your city clerk’s office to establish your residency. If you have the title and $8 fee, you can complete the registration there as well. 
You can change your New Hampshire license plate at any time throughout the year. All you have to do is complete the
Application for Replacement Plates and Decals
, pay the $8 plate fee, the $15 new registration fee, and any other applicable fees for the specific plate you choose. 
MORE: Title transfer in New Hampshire

How to customize your car insurance for savings in New Hampshire 

With your new personalized New Hampshire license plate, it’s probably time you get a new personalized insurance policy to go with it. With
Jerry
—the car insurance shopping super app—you can find a shiny new policy in under a minute!
After you download the app, just follow the sign-up process and see your most affordable coverage options in a snap. Once you find your best option, just tap to sign-up—our team of insurance experts will help you every step of the way. We’ll even help cancel your old policy!
Jerry’s more than just quick and easy—we’re here to save you money. Just ask the two million+ customers who save an average of over $800 each year on coverage!
Jerry
made switching over to new insurance so quick and easy! My monthly payment went from $469 to $362 by switching me to Progressive. 10/10 would recommend!” —Luanne T. 
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FAQs

Between the special vehicle plates like mopeds, tractors, and motorcycles, there are more than 30 different license plates you can get in New Hampshire—and that’s not including the dozens of decals you can add to your plate!
Yes! You’ll need to have both a front and back license plate to be within the law.
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