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LicensePlates Alaska

Alaska License Plate

What is an Alaska License Plate?

The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a division of the Department of Administration, issues all license plates and manages vehicle registration records. Alaska does not have a county-level registration system; residents register directly through state DMV offices or online.

Three standard license plate designs are currently available at no additional cost: the Standard Gold (traditional flag design) and Grizzly, both issued upon initial registration. The “Celebrating the Arts” plate has a one-time surcharge of $3. All standard plates are issued as a single rear license plate.

Types of License Plates in Alaska

  • Standard plates (Gold or Grizzly) are assigned at registration at no additional cost. Replacement plates cost $5 each.
  • Alaska publishes dozens of specialty plates for charitable causes, fraternal organizations, and universities, with fees set in AS 28.10.421. Charitable plates start at $30; university plates (UAA, UAF, UAS) cost $50 upon initial issuance.
  • Any standard or specialty plate can be personalized for $30 through the DMV’s online ordering system.
  • Plates for disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, Pearl Harbor survivors, Gold Star families, and Purple Heart recipients have no registration or plate fees according to AS 28.10.421(d)(11).
  • Amateur radio call sign plates are available free for FCC-licensed operators, and a historic vehicle plate costs a one-time fee of $10 for vehicles 30 years and older used primarily for exhibitions.

The full catalog is available on the Alaska DMV license plate page.

What Vehicles Require License Plates in Alaska?

Every vehicle operated on Alaska highways must be registered according to AS 28.10. New residents and workers must apply within 10 days of entering the state or starting work, respectively, according to the DMV registration page. All registrations are conducted on a biennial cycle.

  • Passenger cars, pickups, and vans up to 10,000 pounds (non-commercial) have one rear license plate with a fee of $100 for a two-year period according to AS 28.10.421(b)(1)(A). Municipal vehicle registration taxes vary by borough and are added locally.
  • $60 for a two-year cycle covers a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, also one rear license plate.
  • Non-commercial trailers (utility, travel, boat) are registered for $30 for two years, or 55forpermanentregistration(30 plus a one-time fee of $25) according to AS 28.10.421(j). Commercial trailers pay a one-time fee of $20.
  • Commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds are registered annually by unladen weight, from $90 (up to 5,000 pounds) to $331 (over 18,000 pounds) according to AS 28.10.421(h).

License Plate Rules in Alaska

  • Alaska is a single-plate state. Every non-commercial vehicle must have one license plate on the rear according to AS 28.10.171. Commercial vehicles have a plate on the front. Motorcycles, trailers, and motorhomes follow the same rear-mount rule.

  • The license plate must be securely fastened with the top edge horizontal, at least 12 inches from the ground, and maintained in a condition “to be clearly legible” according to AS 28.10.171(b). Any cover, coating, or obstruction that impairs legibility may be grounds for a citation for improper display.

    • Alaska statute does not contain specific exemptions for bike racks, trailer hitches, or wheelchair lifts; the legibility standard applies regardless of the reason for obstruction.

Is Driving Around with No License Plate in Alaska Illegal?

Operating a vehicle without valid registration plates, tabs, or permits on a public road is prohibited according to AS 28.10.461. Violations are classified as misdemeanors under the general penalty provision in AS 28.90.010.

Displaying a license plate not issued for that vehicle falls under a separate statute. AS 28.10.481 considers misuse of registration evidence a misdemeanor requiring a mandatory court appearance, while forgery or falsification of a license plate elevates to a felony under AS 28.10.491.

What is the Penalty for Driving Without a License Plate in Alaska?

Penalties under Alaska’s registration statutes are found in Article 7 of Chapter 10, and range from modest bail forfeitures to imprisonment for felonies.

  • Improper display of license plates, tabs, or permits entails a $75 bail forfeiture according to the Alaska Supreme Court’s traffic bail schedule. The maximum statutory amount is $500 fine or 90 days imprisonment according to AS 28.90.010(a).
  • Failure to register a vehicle at all entails a $90 bail forfeiture under the same schedule, with the same maximum $500 / 90-day misdemeanor ceiling.
  • Displaying a license plate not authorized for that vehicle under AS 28.10.481 requires a mandatory court appearance and is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 and 90 days.
  • Forgery, falsification, or knowing possession of a counterfeit license plate is a felony under AS 28.10.491, carrying 1 to 5 years imprisonment and fines from $500 to $5,000.
  • Penalties for expired or suspended registration are addressed separately under AS 28.10.471, with a $90 bail forfeiture for operating on expired registration.

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