How to cancel your Louisiana license plates

To cancel your Louisiana license plates, you return them to the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) in person or by mail, along with a completed Form MV 14 (process for Registration). You do not need to appear in court or file paperwork with a judge. The process takes a few days to a few weeks depending on whether you go in person or mail everything.

The reason you are cancelling matters slightly — whether you sold the vehicle, moved out of state, or straightforward no longer need the plates — but the basic steps are the same. You will need your current registration card, the plates themselves, and proof that you no longer own or operate the vehicle (usually a bill of sale or title transfer document).

Key Takeaways

  • Return your plates and a completed Form MV 14 to any OMV office in person, or mail them to the OMV headquarters in Baton Rouge.
  • You will need your current registration card, the physical plates, and proof of sale or transfer if you sold the vehicle.
  • If you are moving out of state, bring or send a copy of your new state's registration or a letter stating you no longer reside in Louisiana.
  • Cancelling plates stops your registration from renewing and may lower your insurance costs if you notify your insurer at the same time.
  • If your plates are lost or stolen, report them to OMV before cancelling so there is a record of what happened.

What you need to bring or send

Gather your current registration card (the document that came with your plates), the actual license plates, and Form MV 14. You can read Form MV 14 from the Louisiana OMV website or pick one up at any OMV office. The form is short — it asks for your name, vehicle identification number (VIN), and the reason for cancellation.

If you sold the vehicle, bring or send a bill of sale or a copy of the title transfer showing the new owner's name. If you are moving out of state, bring a copy of your new state's vehicle registration or a letter on your new state's letterhead confirming you now reside there. If the vehicle was totalled or junked, bring the salvage or junk title, or a letter from the salvage yard or junkyard stating the vehicle was destroyed.

If your plates are lost, stolen, or damaged, you do not need to return them — but you should report the loss to OMV before you cancel. This creates a record and protects you if someone uses the plates illegally. Call your local OMV office or file a police report and bring a copy to OMV.

Cancelling in person at an OMV office

Walk into any Louisiana OMV office during business hours with your registration card, plates, Form MV 14, and any supporting documents (bill of sale, new state registration, etc.). Hand everything to the clerk and tell them you want to cancel your registration. The clerk will process the cancellation on the spot, usually in under 10 minutes.

You will receive a receipt showing the cancellation date. Keep this receipt — it proves your plates were cancelled if a question comes up later (for example, if you get a traffic ticket on a date after cancellation, the receipt shows the vehicle was no longer registered). OMV offices are located in most parishes; you can find the nearest one on the Louisiana OMV website by entering your zip code.

Cancelling by mail

If you cannot visit an OMV office, mail your registration card, plates, Form MV 14, and supporting documents to the OMV headquarters at 7979 Independence Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery. Include a cover letter with your name, phone number, and a brief note saying you are cancelling your registration.

Processing by mail takes two to four weeks. You will receive a cancellation receipt in the mail. If you do not hear back within a month, call the OMV customer service line to confirm the cancellation went through. Do not assume silence means it is done — follow up to make sure your registration is actually cancelled, especially if you sold the vehicle and want to confirm the new owner's name is on file.

What happens after you cancel

Once OMV processes your cancellation, your registration ends and your plates are deactivated. You cannot legally drive the vehicle on public roads in Louisiana or any other state using those plates. If you are keeping the vehicle but no longer driving it, you do not need to do anything else. If you sold it, the new owner will need to register it in their own name before they can drive it.

Notify your car insurance company that you have cancelled your registration. Most insurers will lower your premium or cancel your policy once they know the vehicle is no longer registered. Some will ask for a copy of your cancellation receipt. If you are financing the vehicle, notify your lender as well — they may have requirements about what happens to the plates and registration.

If you need to cancel but still own the vehicle

You might cancel your plates if you are storing the vehicle long-term, moving out of state temporarily, or straightforward not driving it for several months. In this case, you keep the vehicle but return the plates. You can re-register the same vehicle later by going back to OMV with proof of ownership (your title) and paying the registration fee again.

When you re-register, you may receive new plates or the same ones, depending on OMV's inventory. The process is the same as a new registration. If you plan to store the vehicle for a long time, check with your insurance company — some policies require you to notify them if a vehicle is not being driven, and some offer lower rates for stored vehicles.

Cancelling plates if you moved out of state

If you relocated to another state and no longer need Louisiana plates, you can cancel by mail or in person before you leave. Bring or send your Louisiana registration card, plates, and Form MV 14, along with proof that you now live elsewhere — a copy of your new state's vehicle registration, a utility bill with your new address, or a letter from your new state's motor vehicle department confirming your residency.

Some people move and forget to cancel their Louisiana registration. If this happens, you can still cancel at any time — there is no time limit. However, you may owe renewal fees for the years you did not cancel. Contact OMV to ask about any back fees before you mail in your cancellation. If you owe money, you can pay it when you cancel or ask about a payment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to return the physical plates, or can I just cancel the registration?

You should return the physical plates along with your cancellation request. Keeping plates after cancellation is not illegal, but returning them prevents someone from finding them and using them illegally. If the plates are lost or damaged, tell OMV and they will waive the requirement to return them.

What if I sold my vehicle but the new owner has not registered it yet?

Cancel your plates anyway. Your cancellation stops your liability for the vehicle once OMV processes it. Bring or send the bill of sale showing the new owner's name and date of sale. Keep a copy for your records. The new owner is responsible for registering the vehicle in their name before driving it.

Can I cancel my plates online?

No, Louisiana OMV does not offer online cancellation. You must go in person or mail your documents. In-person is faster if you have an OMV office nearby. Mail takes two to four weeks but works if you are out of state or cannot visit an office.

Will cancelling my plates affect my driving record or insurance?

Cancelling plates does not affect your driving record. It may lower your insurance premium if you notify your insurer, since you are no longer insuring a registered vehicle. Some insurers will cancel your policy automatically once they learn the registration is cancelled.

What if I lost my registration card?

You can still cancel. Bring the plates and Form MV 14 to an OMV office, and tell the clerk your registration card is lost. They can look up your registration by your VIN or vehicle owner name and process the cancellation. If you are mailing, include a note explaining the card is lost and provide your VIN and full name.