N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-63.1
"SECTION 5.(b) The Division, in coordination with the Department of Information Technology, shall implement a registration plate production platform that (i) integrates the State registration and titling system with the on-demand production of the registration plates and (ii) provides for the direct shipping of the registration plate to the owner of the vehicle or to the license plate agency.
"SECTION 5.(c) This section becomes effective July 1, 2020, and applies to registration plates issued or renewed on or after that date. For replacement of plates required by G.S. 20-63.1(b), as enacted by this section, the Division shall replace special registration plates beginning on July 1, 2021, and shall replace other registration plates beginning on the effective date of this section. Existing plates must be replaced with new registration plates if, upon the date of renewal, the plate is seven or more years old or will become seven or more years old during the registration period."