About Taxes, Licenses & Etc.

All vehicles normally garaged in Hanover County and operated on public roads are required to obtain a local license. Owners are required to obtain decals for vehicles within 60 days of purchase. Such license (decal) shall be displayed on the windshield of cars/trucks and other specified locations for motorbikes and trailers (click on decal to the right for instructions on adhering the decal). It is illegal to operate an unlicensed vehicle on county roads and carries a $100 fine when cited for a violation.

Decals for all vehicles are $3. The decal is a”permanent” license that is valid as long as you are the owner and the vehicle is garaged in Hanover County.

Decals can be purchased on-line, through the mail or at the County Treasurer's office. All personal property taxes must be paid in full by a taxpayer before he/she can purchase any decals.

Hanover County does not exchange Hanover decals for the decals of other localities. Under State law, a decal purchased in any Virginia jurisdiction must be honored by other Virginia localities until it expires. Out of state decals need to be replaced once someone registers a vehicle in Virginia with the State Department of Motor Vehicles.

There are no refunds for decals when a vehicle is sold or disposed of in any method.  Additionally, decals do not “transfer” from one vehicle to another. There is a $3 fee to replace a lost or stolen decal and an affidavit must be signed. All affidavits are subject to review and investigation by the County Sheriff's Office
(Click here for a Replacement Decal Application Form).