N.C. Appalachian Trail License Plates

Design by Nate Wygonik

April 2008 – The ATC receives $20 for each specialty A.T. plate purchased and renewed.  The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has raised $191,400 thanks to A.T. license plate holders.

These funds help the Trail every day, by supporting:

• Trail and facilities maintenance
• Scenic easements for Trail and view preservation
• Rare plants and old growth forests monitoring and documentation
• Partnerships to preserve open spaces found in the Roan Highlands
• Teachers with workshops to bring A Trail to Every Classroom
• Increased public information efforts from our Asheville, N.C. regional office

Details on how the N.C. Appalachian Trail License Plate Grant Program helps the A.T. and how to apply for a grant are found at appalachiantrail.org/ncatlpgrant. 

Apply for Your A.T. Plate

It's easy: You can get your plate by downloading and completing the application (PDF) and either mailing it or delivering it in person to any Vehicle and License Plate Renewal Office in North Carolina.   Or, visit the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles web site in the specialty plates section under “F” for Friends of the Appalachian Trail.

Cost: It costs $30 for a regular Appalachian Trail plate and $60 for a personalized version; these fees are in addition to the regular North Carolina motor vehicle registration fee.  The ATC receives $20 for each plate that is purchased and renewed, and the other $10 is spent by the state through the Special Registration Plate Account which funds visitor centers and wildflower highway beautification projects. 

Free Membership: As a thank you for purchasing your tag, we are pleased to give you a free one-time annual membership which includes an ATC decal, patch and membership card, A.T. Journeys—a bimonthly magazine of the ATC, and discounts at the Ultimate Appalachian Trail Store.  Information on redeeming your membership will arrive in the mail with your license plate.

History & News

The A.T. plate in North Carolina was made possible by the years of work contributed by New Bern, N.C. attorney and ATC member Clark Wright who initiated this vision and worked tirelessly to bring it to fruition.  His work was made possible through the help of hiker and State Senator Joe Sam Queen of Waynesville, N.C. who sponsored the legislation which created the tag, and the invaluable information and assistance provided by Kay Hatcher of the Department of Motor Vehicles Specialty Tag Office in Raleigh, N.C.

"Protecting Rare Plants of the A.T." Presentation (February 20, 2008)
ATC and Forest Service Secure A.T. Protection (December 3, 2007)
License Plates Fund Enhancement of A.T. (August 6, 2007)
ATC Increases Grants for North Carolina Trail Projects (January 23, 2007)
New Grant Program Made Possible by North Carolina Drivers (August 16, 2006)

Contact
Leanna Joyner, License Plate Program Manager
(828) 254-3708