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updateUpdated 2026-10-12

Tennessee License Plate Lookup

TN License Plate Lookup — enter any TN plate to get the make, model, year, trim, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds. Vehicle data only — no personal information is returned.

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TENNESSEEABC-1234

5.7M

Registered Vehicles

Tennessee (FHWA)

Since 1915

Tennessee Department of Revenue

ABC-1234

Tennessee License Plate Quick Facts

Agency	Tennessee Department of Revenue — Vehicle Services
Issuance year	1915
Current format	ABC-1234 — Seven characters on the current 'Tennessee' tri-star design: three letters, a dash, and four digits. Tennessee is a single-plate (rear-only) state.
Plates required	One (rear only)
Replacement fee	$4
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	5.7M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-615-741-3101 · www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration.html

How do I look up a Tennessee license plate?

Running a free Tennessee license plate lookup takes under 10 seconds. The TN license plate lookup tool above doesn't require an account or paywall.

1
Enter the Tennessee license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm TN is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
3
Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.

Run a TN plate lookuparrow_forward

What does a Tennessee license plate lookup reveal?

A free Tennessee license plate lookup returns vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, trim, engine, recalls, and safety ratings. Personal information about the registered owner is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and is never returned by this tool.

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DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This Tennessee license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.

Free — available here

check_circleMake, model, year, and trim
check_circleBody style, doors, curb weight
check_circleEngine size, cylinders, fuel type
check_circleTransmission and drivetrain
check_circleOpen NHTSA safety recalls
check_circleNHTSA crash test ratings
check_circleEPA fuel economy (MPG)
check_circleManufacturing plant & country

Paid — via NMVTIS partners

boltTitle brand history (salvage, flood, rebuilt)
boltReported accident history
boltOdometer rollback detection
boltNumber of previous owners
boltLien and loan history
boltAuction & insurance records
boltState of registration history
boltTheft / total-loss records

Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.

What does a Tennessee license plate format look like?

Seven characters on the current 'Tennessee' tri-star design: three letters, a dash, and four digits. Tennessee is a single-plate (rear-only) state. A free Tennessee license plate lookup also works on legacy plate formats listed in the table below.

TENNESSEEABC-1234

Tennessee license plate formats through the years

Era	Format	Example
1915–1955	Numeric / county-prefixed	12-3456
1956–1975	County-coded numeric	1-A-1234
1976–1987	3 letters + 3 digits (orange on white, with state shape)	ABC 123
1988–2001	3 letters + 3 digits ('Volunteer State' green/white)	ABC 123
2002–2021	3 letters + 2 digits + 2 letters or similar (multiple designs)	ABC 12B
2022–present	3 letters + 4 digits ('Tennessee' tri-star design)	ABC-1234

Tennessee license plate laws you should know

Below are the four laws that most often trip up Tennessee drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.

Single plate state

Tennessee is a single-plate state. T.C.A. § 55-4-110 requires every registered passenger vehicle to display only one license plate, on the rear of the vehicle. Decorative front plates are permitted.

Front plate rule

No front plate is required or issued for passenger vehicles in Tennessee. Drivers may legally display decorative front plates as long as they do not obstruct visibility or imitate official plates.

Registration stickers & display

Tennessee issues a registration decal affixed to the upper-right corner of the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Registration must be renewed annually.

Inspection / smog check

Tennessee requires emissions testing in six counties — Davidson, Hamilton, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson — for gasoline vehicles 1975 model year or newer. There is no statewide safety inspection requirement.

Types of Tennessee license plates

Tennessee issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.

Standard Tennessee

Default rear-only plate with the 'Tennessee' tri-star design issued in the ABC-1234 format.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds for $35/year through the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

Disabled / Handicapped

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. Issued at no additional fee with a physician's certification.

Military specialty

Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Gold Star Family, POW, and branch-specific plates (free for qualifying veterans).

Special interest

Over 100 specialty plates — UT Volunteers, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Titans, Memphis Grizzlies, Nashville Predators, conservation, and cause plates.

Antique / Historic Vehicle

For vehicles 25+ years old used primarily for exhibitions, parades, and club events. Restricted to occasional use.

How much does a Tennessee license plate cost?

Typical Tennessee DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.

Annual registration (passenger)	$26.50 (state) + county wheel tax (varies by county)
Replacement plate	$4
Personalized plate	$35/year (in addition to standard registration)
Specialty plate	$35–$70/year (varies by plate)
Title fee	$11
Title transfer	$1

Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue — Vehicle Services — https://www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration.html

What if my Tennessee plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a Tennessee license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.

1
File a police report immediately if the plate was stolen.
2
Visit your local County Clerk's office (registration is handled at the county level in Tennessee).
3
Complete the Application for Duplicate Registration / Plate (Form RV-F1311101).
4
Pay the $4 replacement fee plus any county-specific charges.
5
Most county clerks issue the replacement plate on the spot.

Tennessee DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

Tennessee Department of Revenue — Vehicle Services

call1-615-741-3101

languagewww.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration.html

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a Tennessee license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Tennessee license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run a Tennessee license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any Tennessee plate in the search field above and press Check Plate. You'll get the vehicle's make, model, year, trim, open NHTSA recalls, and crash ratings — free, no signup required.

Does Tennessee require a front license plate?expand_more

No. Tennessee is a single-plate state under T.C.A. § 55-4-110. Only one plate is issued and required, displayed on the rear of the vehicle. Decorative front plates are legal.

How much does a replacement Tennessee plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $4 plus any county-specific charges. Replacements are processed at your local County Clerk's office using Form RV-F1311101.

What is the current Tennessee license plate format?expand_more

The standard Tennessee passenger plate uses a 7-character format: three letters, a dash, and four digits (e.g., ABC-1234) on the 'Tennessee' tri-star design introduced in 2022.

Are Tennessee license plate records public?expand_more

No. Owner information tied to a Tennessee plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and T.C.A. § 55-25-101. Free lookups return only vehicle-level data.

Does Tennessee require emissions testing?expand_more

How do I get a personalized Tennessee plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through the Tennessee Department of Revenue or your local County Clerk for $35/year above standard registration fees. Up to 7 characters are allowed.

Where do I renew my Tennessee vehicle registration?expand_more

Tennessee vehicle registration is handled at the county level — visit your local County Clerk's office or renew online through the Tennessee Department of Revenue's portal at tn.gov/revenue.

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