What happens when you surrender plates
When you surrender your license plates to the DMV, you are telling the state that you no longer own the vehicle or no longer want to register it. The state removes your registration from its system, stops billing you for registration renewal, and the plates become inactive. You will not be able to drive that vehicle legally until new plates are issued.
Surrendering plates is different from canceling your registration — some states treat them as the same action, while others require you to do both separately. Most states let you surrender plates in person at a DMV office, by mail, or sometimes online. The process is free, though some states charge a small fee if you want a receipt or official documentation of the surrender.
You may need to surrender plates if you are selling the vehicle, moving out of state, scrapping the car, or straightforward no longer want to keep it registered. Some people also surrender plates when they are not planning to drive for an extended period and want to avoid paying registration fees.
Key Takeaways
- Surrendering plates stops your registration and removes the vehicle from the state's system, so you cannot legally drive it afterward.
- Most states let you surrender plates in person at a DMV office, by mail, or through an online portal, depending on your state's rules.
- You will need your registration card, vehicle identification number (VIN), and the physical plates themselves for most in-person surrenders.
- Some states allow you to keep personalized or specialty plates if you request it before surrendering, while others require all plates to be turned in.
- Surrendering plates does not automatically cancel your insurance, so contact your insurance company separately to avoid paying for coverage you no longer need.
Surrendering plates in person at a DMV office
The most straightforward way to surrender plates is to walk into your local DMV office with the plates and your registration card. Bring your driver's license as well. The DMV staff will inspect the plates, record the surrender in their system, and give you a receipt. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes and costs nothing in most states.
Some DMV offices ask you to remove the plates from the vehicle before you arrive, while others will do it for you. Call your local office ahead of time to ask what they prefer. If your plates are damaged, bent, or missing, tell the staff member — you may still be able to surrender the registration even if you cannot turn in the physical plates, though this varies by state.
If you have personalized plates or specialty plates (such as military or environmental plates), ask the DMV staff whether you can keep them before you hand them over. Some states allow you to retain these plates for future use on another vehicle, but you must request this at the time of surrender.
Surrendering plates by mail
Many states allow you to mail your plates to the DMV along with a surrender form. You can usually find the form on your state's DMV website under "plate surrender," "registration cancellation," or "vehicle deregistration." Print the form, fill it out with your vehicle information and registration number, and mail it with the plates to the address listed on the form.
Mail surrender typically takes two to four weeks to process because the DMV must receive the package, log it, and update your registration record. Keep a copy of the form and take a photo of the plates before you mail them, in case there is a question about whether the DMV received them. Some states offer prepaid mailing labels on their websites to make this easier.
If your plates are lost or stolen and you cannot mail them, most states will let you complete the surrender by mail using a signed statement explaining what happened. You may need to file a police report for stolen plates, so check your state's rules before mailing.
Surrendering plates online
A growing number of states offer online plate surrender through their DMV portals. You log in with your driver's license number and registration information, confirm that you want to surrender the plates, and the state processes the cancellation electronically. Some states then mail you a prepaid shipping label so you can send the plates back, while others let you keep them or destroy them.
Online surrender is the fastest option in states that offer it — the registration is usually canceled within one to three business days. However, not all states have this feature yet, and some only allow online surrender for certain types of vehicles or registrations. Check your state DMV website to see whether this option is available to you.
If your state does not offer online surrender, you can sometimes call the DMV to ask about mail-in options or to find out when the nearest office is open. Some states also allow you to start the process online and then complete it in person or by mail.
What to do with the plates after surrender
Once you have surrendered your plates to the DMV, you no longer own them — they belong to the state. If you surrendered them in person, the DMV keeps them. If you mailed them, they stay with the DMV once received. Do not try to keep the plates, sell them, or use them on another vehicle, as this is illegal in all states.
If you are moving out of state and want to keep your current plates as a souvenir, ask the DMV whether you can request a retired or deactivated set. Some states will give you a non-functional copy of your old plates after the registration is canceled, but this is not may provide and varies widely.
If you destroyed the plates before surrendering (for example, by cutting them in half), you can still surrender the registration by mail or in person. Bring the pieces with you or include them in the mail, and explain what happened. The DMV will accept the surrender even if the plates are damaged or incomplete.
Timing and what to expect after surrender
After you surrender your plates, the DMV will stop sending you registration renewal notices and will not bill you for the next registration period. If you have already paid for a registration that extends beyond the surrender date, some states will issue a refund for the unused portion, though this is not automatic — you may need to request it in writing.
Your registration record will show as "canceled" or "surrendered" in the DMV system. If you ever need proof that you surrendered the plates on a specific date (for example, to show an insurance company or a lender), you can request a certified copy of your registration history from the DMV. This usually costs $5 to $15 and takes one to two weeks by mail.
If you plan to register the same vehicle again in the future, you can do so at any time — surrendering plates does not permanently remove the vehicle from the system. You will straightforward need to re-register it and pay the registration fee again.
Surrendering plates when selling or transferring a vehicle
If you are selling your vehicle to someone else, you do not have to surrender the plates yourself. The new owner will typically register the vehicle in their name and receive new plates. However, you should remove your plates before handing over the vehicle, or ask the new owner to do it and return them to you.
Once you have the plates back, you can surrender them to the DMV, or you can leave them with the new owner if your state allows plate transfers. Some states let the new owner keep your plates and re-register them under their name, while others require new plates for every registration. Check your state's rules before you sell.
If you are transferring the vehicle to a family member or trading it in at a dealership, the same rule applies — remove the plates and surrender them yourself, or confirm with the other party who is responsible for doing so. Do not leave plates on a vehicle you no longer own, as you may be held liable if the vehicle is used illegally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to surrender my plates if I am selling my car?
You should remove the plates before you sell, but you do not have to surrender them to the DMV if the new owner wants to keep them. In some states, the new owner can re-register the vehicle with your old plates. In others, they must get new plates. Ask your DMV or the new owner what your state requires.
What if I lost my plates and cannot find them?
You can still surrender your registration by mail or in person without the physical plates. Bring a signed statement explaining that the plates are lost, or file a police report for stolen plates and bring a copy. The DMV will cancel your registration based on your vehicle information alone.
Will surrendering plates affect my insurance?
Surrendering plates does not automatically cancel your insurance policy. Contact your insurance company separately and tell them you have surrendered the registration. They will cancel your coverage and may refund you for any unused portion of your premium, depending on your policy.
Can I get a refund if I paid for registration I did not use?
Some states refund unused registration fees when you surrender plates, but you usually have to request it in writing. Contact your DMV to ask about their refund policy and what documentation you need to provide. The refund, if approved, typically takes four to eight weeks.
What if I want to register the same vehicle again later?
Surrendering plates does not permanently remove your vehicle from the system. You can re-register it at any time by visiting the DMV, paying the registration fee, and receiving new plates. Your vehicle's history and title remain on file.