by New Special Dinosaur License Plate in North Carolina
North Carolina motorists have received a unique opportunity to decorate their vehicles. From now on, they can install a special license plate featuring the skeleton of one of the most fearsome predators of all time — the Acrocanthosaurus.
The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles has officially approved this new design. The plate features a full profile skeleton of Acrocanthosaurus atokensis, a massive carnivorous dinosaur that lived approximately 110 million years ago.
Design Details and Significance
This dinosaur, whose name translates to “high-spined lizard,” was a true “terror of the South” during the early Cretaceous period. Its length could reach over 11.5 meters. The plate’s design transforms an ordinary metal plate into a moving tribute to deep time and paleontology.
This license plate became the only special plate approved by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2025. It not only looks impressive but also supports science.
Financial Support for the Museum
In addition to its aesthetic component, purchasing the plate has a charitable purpose. From the special fee of $30, $20 is directed directly to the “Friends of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences” organization. These funds help finance scientific research, exhibitions, educational programs, and nature conservation efforts.
The DMV has already processed applications from the program’s first launch, and plate production has begun. Standard plates will be shipped in late September, and personalized ones in late October. For those who missed out, applications are expected to reopen through the DMV’s online system in November. Personalized plates are available for an additional fee.
Uniqueness of the Offer and Future Projects
North Carolina already offers over 100 special license plates dedicated to various charities and hobbies. However, the dinosaur plate stands out among them. While other states often limit themselves to simple colors or unpopular designs, the dinosaur serves as a powerful reminder of phenomena far greater than ourselves.
This plate is more than just a car accessory. It is a symbol of support for science and our shared history, reaching millions of years into the past.
Meanwhile, another project is being considered in the state legislature — a license plate featuring the Venus flytrap, a carnivorous plant that grows naturally exclusively in the Carolinas. This design has already passed approval in the North Carolina House of Representatives and is now awaiting a decision from the Senate.
The initiative to create such plates demonstrates how government agencies can collaborate with cultural and scientific institutions. It not only allows drivers to express their individuality but also creates a sustainable funding mechanism for museums, which often face budget constraints. The success of this program could serve as an example for other states seeking innovative ways to support public science and education. The demand for the plate indicates a deep public interest in paleontology and natural history, transforming the ordinary vehicle registration procedure into an act of supporting knowledge.
