Where and how to return your plates
You return New York license plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), either by mail or in person at a DMV office. The DMV does not require an appointment for plate returns, but you can make one if you prefer. If you are returning plates because you sold your vehicle, moved out of state, or no longer need them, the process is straightforward: you remove the plates from your vehicle, fill out a short form, and send them in or hand them over.
The form you need is the MV-83 (Notice of Surrender of License Plates). You can read it from the DMV website, pick one up at any DMV office, or sometimes get one from your insurance agent. The form takes about two minutes to complete — it asks for your name, address, the plate number, and the reason you are returning them.
If you are returning plates by mail, put the completed MV-83 form and the plates themselves in an envelope and send them to the DMV address listed on the form. The address depends on which region of the state you live in, so check the form or the DMV website to find the correct one. Mail typically takes one to two weeks, so if you need confirmation sooner, returning them in person is faster.
Key Takeaways
- You can return plates by mail using the MV-83 form or in person at any DMV office without an appointment.
- The MV-83 form is free and available on the DMV website, at DMV offices, or from some insurance agents.
- If you are selling your vehicle, notify your insurance company before returning the plates so your coverage ends on the right date.
- Returning plates does not automatically cancel your registration — you may need to file a separate form if you sold the vehicle or want to cancel registration entirely.
When you need to return plates
You should return plates when you sell your vehicle, move out of New York State, or stop using a vehicle permanently. Returning them protects you because it creates a record that you no longer own or operate that vehicle. This matters if the new owner gets a ticket or is involved in an accident — the record shows the plates were returned before that happened.
If you sold the vehicle to a private buyer, the new owner will register it in their name and get new plates. You still need to return your old plates; do not leave them on the vehicle. If you sold it to a dealer, the dealer usually handles the plate return, but confirm this before you leave the lot. If you are scrapping or junking the vehicle, the scrap yard may return the plates for you, but check first — if they do not, you are responsible for returning them yourself.
What happens if you do not return plates
If you do not return plates and continue to receive registration renewal notices, you may be charged renewal fees for a vehicle you no longer own. The DMV will not know the vehicle is gone until you tell them. You could also face liability if the new owner uses the vehicle illegally or gets into an accident — without a record that you returned the plates, you may be connected to incidents that happened after the sale.
Returning plates is free and takes very little time, so there is no reason to skip it. If you have already sold the vehicle and did not return the plates, you can still do it now. Bring or mail the plates along with the MV-83 form, and explain on the form that the return is late. The DMV will process it without penalty.
Returning plates in person at a DMV office
Walk into any DMV office during business hours with your completed MV-83 form and the plates. You do not need an appointment, though you can schedule one online if you want to avoid a wait. The staff member will take the plates, stamp your form, and give you a receipt. Keep the receipt as proof that you returned them.
Bring the plates themselves — both the front and rear plate if you have them. If one plate is missing or damaged, bring what you have and explain the situation on the form. The DMV will not refuse the return because a plate is damaged or lost; they just want to know the plates are no longer in use.
Returning plates by mail
read or print the MV-83 form from the DMV website. Fill in your name, address, the plate number (you can find it on your registration or insurance documents), and check the box for why you are returning them. Put the form and both plates in a padded envelope or small box so the plates do not bend in transit.
Look up the correct DMV regional office address on the form or the DMV website — there are several addresses depending on where you live. Send the package via regular mail or a tracked service like certified mail if you want confirmation of delivery. You should receive a receipt in the mail within two to three weeks, though you may not receive anything at all if the DMV processes it without sending confirmation back.
If you want proof that you returned the plates, use certified mail or a service that provides tracking. Take a photo of the plates before you mail them, just in case there is ever a question about whether you returned them.
Canceling your registration at the same time
Returning plates and canceling your registration are two separate things. Returning the plates tells the DMV you no longer have them; canceling the registration tells the DMV you no longer own the vehicle or want it registered in New York. You can do both at once by checking the appropriate box on the MV-83 form or by filing a separate form called the MV-82 (process for Registration) with a note that you want to cancel.
If you sold the vehicle, the new owner will register it themselves, so you do not need to cancel — just return the plates. If you are moving out of state or scrapping the vehicle, you may want to cancel the registration to stop receiving renewal notices. Ask the DMV staff or check the website to see which form you need for your situation.
What to do about your insurance
Before you return the plates, contact your insurance company and tell them the date you are returning them or the date the vehicle is no longer in your possession. Your insurance policy should end on that date. If you return the plates but do not notify your insurance company, you may continue to be charged for coverage you do not need.
If you sold the vehicle, give your insurance company the sale date. If you are scrapping it, give them the date you dropped it off. The insurance company will adjust your policy and may refund you for any unused portion of your premium. This step is important because it protects you from being billed for coverage after the vehicle is gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return plates if I do not have the MV-83 form?
You can still return them in person at a DMV office — the staff will give you the form to fill out on the spot. If you are mailing them, you need the form, so read it from the DMV website or call the DMV to request one by mail first.
What if one of my plates is lost or damaged?
Return the plate you have and explain on the MV-83 form that the other is lost or damaged. The DMV will not penalize you. If both plates are lost, you can still file the form and explain the situation — the DMV will cancel the registration based on your report.
Do I need to return plates if I sold my vehicle to a dealer?
Ask the dealer before you leave whether they will handle the plate return. Most do, but some require you to return them yourself. If they say they will handle it, get that in writing or ask for confirmation. If you are unsure, return them yourself to be safe.
How long does it take for the DMV to process a plate return?
If you return them in person, the process is when ready — you get a receipt the same day. If you mail them, processing takes one to three weeks. You may not receive written confirmation, so keeping your receipt or a photo of the plates is your proof.
Can I return plates if I still owe money on the vehicle loan?
Yes. Returning plates does not affect your loan — it only tells the DMV the plates are no longer in use. You are still responsible for paying off the loan. The lender may have their own rules about what happens when you return the vehicle, so contact them separately if you are returning a financed vehicle.