What is a License Plate Replacement in Virginia?
Replacement involves reissuing one or both Virginia license plates after loss, damage, or loss of legibility. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles refers to this operation as a “license plate reissue” and conducts it through a separate fee and form from the standard registration renewal.
- Trigger conditions include lost, stolen, damaged, or illegible license plates. The statute also covers license plates surrendered when titling and registering a vehicle from another state. Owners must apply immediately once a license plate is lost or becomes illegible (Va. Code § 46.2-607).
- Virginia issues the same license plate number during a standard reissue. The replacement physically reproduces the original license plate, so related documents and records remain unchanged.
- Most vehicles have two license plates, front and rear (Va. Code § 46.2-715). Motorcycles, mopeds, autocycles, trailers, and semitrailers receive one rear license plate. The reissue fee of $10 covers the full set; replacing one license plate costs the same.
- A restriction applies: owners who have replaced license plates twice within one registration period cannot receive a third set unless the Commissioner determines the losses were not the owner’s fault.
When Do You Need to Replace Your Virginia License Plate?
Virginia law considers license plate replacement an immediate obligation, not an option the owner can delay.
- A license plate that is lost, stolen, or damaged must be replaced immediately. The same applies when a license plate becomes illegible due to wear or damage. Va. Code § 46.2-607 uses the word “immediately.”
- The DMV recommends reporting stolen license plates to law enforcement but does not require a police report before processing a reissue. A report is not needed for license plates that are simply lost.
- No fixed day defines how quickly a damaged license plate must be replaced, but driving with illegible license plates subjects the owner to an administrative offense according to Va. Code § 46.2-613.
- New residents must title and register a vehicle within 30 days of moving to Virginia, surrendering out-of-state license plates at that time (Virginia DMV new-resident guide).
How to Get a Replacement License Plate in Virginia
Before choosing a channel, gather the title number, vehicle identification number, and current license plate number. The Vehicle Registration Application (form VSA 14) processes each reissue; check the “Reissue” box in the Registration Information section.
- In person: visit any Virginia DMV customer service center. Bring the completed form VSA 14, your current registration card, and the damaged license plate if you still have it. The DMV issues replacement license plates on the spot with updated stickers.
- By mail: send the completed form VSA 14 and a check or money order to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Attn: Renewal Center, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269-0001. Credit cards are not accepted by mail.
- Online: the DMV’s Plate Purchase portal processes replacement orders. The online channel is detailed below. You will need the title number and VIN to proceed.
Can You Replace Virginia License Plate Online?
Yes, Virginia accepts online license plate replacement orders. The Plate Purchase portal covers standard reissues for vehicles already titled and registered in the owner’s name. The portal accepts payments via Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and electronic checks.
The DMV notes that ordering replacement license plates online qualifies for a discount compared to the price by mail or in person. Replacement license plates are mailed after order processing. If your registration expires within 15 days, printing the online receipt extends coverage until the new license plates arrive.
When the portal cannot complete the transaction (e.g., title mismatch or expired registration), visit any DMV customer service center nationwide. The mail-in package requires:
- A completed form VSA 14 with the “Reissue” box checked.
- A check or money order for $10 for the reissue (plus any additional fees for special license plates).
- The damaged license plate, if possible and still in your possession.
Use the online portal when your registration and title records are current; otherwise, the customer service center resolves discrepancies on the same day.
How Much is License Plate Replacement in Virginia?
The reissue fee is fixed and neutral to the vehicle class for standard license plates, but small additional fees and locality surcharges alter the total amount for some owners.
- Standard license plate reissue: $10.00 for the full set, including stickers. The same $10.00 applies whether replacing one or both license plates (Virginia DMV license plate reissue page). Special license plates may incur additional fees.
- Replacement of stickers only costs $1.00. Replacement of the registration card costs $2.00 in person or by mail, but is free when printed through the online registration card replacement portal.
- Vehicles garaged in localities participating in the DMV’s Local Vehicle Registration Program may also be subject to applicable local fees in addition to the state reissue fee (Virginia DMV fee schedule).
- An emissions fee of $2.00 applies to vehicles garaged in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, or Stafford counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, or Manassas Park.
- Personalized license plates add $10.00 per year in addition to all other fees. This annual fee carries over to any reissue transaction for personalized license plates.