North Carolina

i was told to replace mine on a 93 Subaru that i've owned since 02
a few yrs ago, no charge, just got it with new new sticker
it does explain it
" State law includes a provision that says it can order someone to give up a plate that “has become illegible or is in such a condition that the numbers thereon may not be readily distinguished.”

sometimes plate
deteriorate with time or abuse or due to inferior materials ...
similar to the county car window stickers
required enter recycling centers, issued every year... one year they faded to blank white i quess from the sun?
luckily the workers at the centers knew it was happening
and let residents in with blank stickers... they were just shoddy materials
now i place my unstuck one on the dash when i enter and remove it when i leave

there's no cost to replacing the plate to the individual

✌🏼