Spindale License Plate Agency Closed This Week; Nearby Offices Available

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles' License Plate Agency in Spindale is closed this week while staff are on vacation, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation's Western Mountains division.

In a post on X, NCDOT Western Mountains said customers needing in-person services this week can visit the License Plate Agencies in Columbus or Shelby. Eligible transactions may also be completed online through its website. 

What's the Difference Between a License Plate Agency and the DMV?

Many North Carolinians use the terms interchangeably, but under state law they are not the same.

License Plate Agencies (LPA) are privately operated businesses that contract with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) to provide vehicle registration and titling services on the state's behalf. They issue license plates, process vehicle titles and registrations, renew tags, and collect registration fees and vehicle property taxes.

By contrast, the NC DMV directly operates driver's license offices, where customers obtain or renew driver's licenses, REAL IDs, learner permits, and state identification cards, take driving tests, and complete other driver licensing transactions.

Although License Plate Agencies are privately managed, your tax dollars support both systems. The DMV oversees the LPA program, sets operating requirements, audits performance, and pays contractors under agreements authorized by state law to provide registration services for the public.

The Spindale office is scheduled to reopen on Monday, July 27.