What is a License Plate Replacement in Tennessee?
License plate replacement is conducted outside the regular annual renewal cycle. The Tennessee Department of Revenue authorizes county clerks to process replacements when a license plate is lost, stolen, destroyed, damaged, or too faded to read.
- The transaction has its own state fee of $10.00, separate from the annual registration renewal fee of $29.00. Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-103(g) establishes the replacement fee and the commissioner’s authority to develop rules.
- Duplicate license plates retain the original number. A replacement license plate, on the other hand, assigns a new number. The state’s Form F-1315301 asks the applicant to choose one of two paths.
- Tennessee is a one-plate state for passenger vehicles (rear only), according to Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-110. Trucks rated over ¾ ton have only a front plate. One plate is replaced per transaction.
When Do You Need to Replace Your Tennessee License Plate?
Several conditions trigger the replacement obligation. The statute uses the term “damaged or defaced” as the readability threshold; no specific day dictates how quickly a damaged plate must be replaced, but the owner “shall apply” when the plate no longer meets legal requirements.
- A license plate that is lost or stolen requires a police report before the county clerk processes a replacement. The applicant must provide the reporting agency’s name, the officer’s name, and the report date.
- Plates that are physically damaged, faded, or unreadable are subject to replacement without a police report. Surrender the old plate at the county clerk’s office.
- One exception: a plate lost in the mail before delivery to the registrant is replaced free of charge, without a police report. Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-105(d) requires only an application and affidavit.
- New residents must register within 30 days of moving to Tennessee, according to Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-101(b)(2). Out-of-state plates are surrendered at the county clerk’s office.
How to Get a Replacement License Plate in Tennessee
County clerks process each replacement transaction. Gather the necessary documents before visiting your county office.
- Complete two forms: Application for Duplicate/Replacement License Plate or Decal (F-1315301) and Multipurpose Application (F-1315201). Bring a valid photo ID and your current registration or plate number.
- For lost or stolen plates, include police report details in Section C of the application, as discussed in the trigger conditions section above. The officer’s name and badge number are required.
- In person at any county clerk location: surrender the damaged plate if you have it, pay the $10.00 state fee plus applicable county fees, and receive a new plate. All 95 Tennessee counties have clerk offices for vehicle service.
- By mail: send both completed forms, a copy of your registration, the $10.00 fee (check or money order), and a $7.00 mail processing fee to your county clerk’s mailing address. Allow at least two weeks for delivery.
- Online replacement is unavailable; the online channel below covers renewals only.
Can You Replace Tennessee License Plate Online?
No. Tennessee does not offer online license plate replacement. The TNCountyClerk.com portal handles plate renewals and registration verification, but replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged plate must be done through the county clerk’s office in person or by mail.
The in-person route remains the primary channel. Visit any county clerk’s office in the county where the vehicle is registered. Hours vary by county; most operate Monday through Friday, with some offering Saturday hours.
For the mail route, the package must include:
- Completed forms F-1315301 and F-1315201, with filled-in police report details if the plate was lost or stolen.
- A check or money order for $10.00 (state replacement fee) plus $7.00 for mail processing, payable to your county clerk.
Since the online option does not exist, plan to visit the clerk’s office if you need a plate quickly.
How Much is License Plate Replacement in Tennessee?
The state replacement fee is straightforward, but county wheel taxes and clerk fees push the total above $10.00 in most counties.
- State replacement fee: $10.00 per application, established by Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-103(g). The same $10.00 applies to passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and trucks.
- Each plate also has a $1.75 reflective and issuance fee ($0.75 under § 55-4-103(f)(2) plus $1.00 under § 55-4-103(f)(3)), charged at plate issuance.
- Clerk fees and county issuance fees vary. Knox County lists plate replacements at $12.50, which includes the state fee and county fees in one amount. Additional county fees may apply depending on the jurisdiction.
- Mail orders add $7.00 for mail processing for plates or $3.00 for decals only, according to Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-105(c)(2).
- Duplicate registration card costs $3.00 at the county clerk’s office, with an additional $0.50 if certification is needed. Credit and debit card transactions incur a convenience fee (typically 2% to 2.5%, charged by a third-party processor, not the county).
- Plates lost in the mail before delivery are replaced free of charge under § 55-4-105(d).