The change eliminates license plate stickers and printed registration cards but does not change vehicle property tax requirements

The Harnett County Tax Department is advising vehicle owners of an upcoming change to North Carolina’s vehicle registration renewal process. Effective October 1, 2026, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) will move to an all-electronic vehicle registration system and will no longer issue physical license plate stickers or printed vehicle registration cards.

The change is the result of legislation enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly and is intended to reduce unnecessary paperwork and costs while relying on electronic systems already used by law enforcement to verify vehicle registration status.

What does this mean for vehicle owners?

Beginning October 1, 2026:

• NCDMV will no longer issue license plate stickers for vehicle registration renewals.
• NCDMV will no longer issue printed registration cards unless vehicle owners request one, which will be an additional fee of $5.00.
• Vehicle registrations will continue to be valid if the required registration fees and vehicle property taxes are paid on time either online or in person at a local license plate agency.

What does this mean for my vehicle property taxes?

The change does not eliminate or change the vehicle property tax portion of the renewal process.

North Carolina's Tag & Tax Together program requires vehicle owners to pay their annual vehicle registration fees and vehicle property taxes at the same time. The vehicle property tax is assessed by the county in which the vehicle is registered, while NCDMV collects the combined registration and property tax payment.

Vehicle owners will continue to receive a combined vehicle registration renewal and property tax notice providing information about the registration renewal and the vehicle property tax due.

Questions regarding vehicle values, property tax amounts, exemptions, or appeals should be directed to the Harnett County Tax Department.

What if I don't receive my renewal notice?

Vehicle owners remain responsible for renewing their registration and paying the associated vehicle property taxes on time even if a renewal notice is not received. NCDMV advises that vehicle owners can renew online, at a license plate agency, or by mail.

Vehicle owners who have questions about the vehicle property tax portion of their renewal should contact the Harnett County Tax Department. Questions about registration, license plates, or other DMV services should be directed to NCDMV or a local license plate agency.

Late registration renewals and late vehicle property tax payments may result in additional fees and interest.

The Harnett County Tax Department encourages vehicle owners to be aware of this change as North Carolina transitions to electronic vehicle registration beginning October 1, 2026.

For more information about vehicle property taxes in Harnett County, contact the Harnett County Tax Department at 910-893-7520 or visit our website.

For more information about NCDMV’s digital registration changes, contact NCDMV or visit their website.