How to Cancel Your Massachusetts License Plates

How to cancel your Massachusetts license plates

You cancel Massachusetts license plates by returning them to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in person or by mail, along with a completed form. The RMV will then remove the registration from your account. You do not need to cancel plates if you are transferring them to a different vehicle — the RMV handles that automatically when you register the new car. You only cancel when you no longer own the vehicle, are moving out of state, or want to stop using a set of plates permanently.

The process itself takes about 10 minutes in person or a few days by mail. You will need your registration card, the actual plates, and form RMV-14 (Discontinuance of Registration). If you have lost the plates or they are damaged beyond use, you can still cancel the registration, but you will need to explain that to the RMV clerk or note it on the form.

Key Takeaways

Return your plates and registration card to any RMV branch in person, or mail them with form RMV-14 to the RMV's Boston office.
You do not pay a fee to cancel plates, but you may owe a refund of unused registration fees depending on when you cancel in the registration year.
If the vehicle is being sold, the new owner will register it under their own plates, so you must cancel your registration first.
If you have lost or damaged plates, bring your registration card and explain the situation — the RMV will cancel the registration without the physical plates.
Keep your cancellation receipt or confirmation, especially if you are selling the vehicle, because it proves you are no longer the registered owner.

Canceling plates in person at an RMV branch

Walk into any RMV service center with your registration card, the license plates themselves, and form RMV-14 filled out. You can read form RMV-14 from the Massachusetts RMV website or pick one up at the branch. The form asks for your name, address, vehicle identification number (VIN), and the reason you are discontinuing the registration — common reasons are "vehicle sold," "vehicle no longer in use," or "moving out of state."

Hand everything to the clerk. They will scan your plates, process the cancellation in the system, and give you a receipt. The receipt shows the cancellation date and any refund amount if you are may have access to to one. Keep this receipt. If you are selling the vehicle, give a copy to the buyer so they have proof the old registration is gone.

RMV branches are open Monday through Friday, typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by location. Some branches require an appointment; check the RMV website for your nearest branch and whether you need to book ahead. Bring your driver's license as well, in case the clerk asks to verify your identity.

Canceling plates by mail

If you cannot visit a branch, mail your registration card, the plates, and a completed form RMV-14 to the RMV's Boston office. The mailing address is on the form itself and on the RMV website. Include a note with your phone number or email so the RMV can contact you if there are questions.

Processing by mail takes 5 to 10 business days after the RMV receives your package. There is no tracking, so you will not know exactly when it arrives. If you need confirmation quickly — for example, because you are selling the vehicle and the buyer needs proof the old registration is cancelled — go in person instead.

If you are mailing plates, use a tracked shipping method (Priority Mail with tracking, or a carrier like UPS or FedEx) so you have proof of delivery. The RMV is not responsible for plates lost in the mail, but a tracking number protects you if there is a dispute later.

What happens if you have lost or damaged plates

You can still cancel your registration even if you do not have the physical plates. Bring your registration card and driver's license to an RMV branch and tell the clerk the plates are lost or damaged. They will note this on form RMV-14 and process the cancellation without the plates themselves.

If you are mailing the cancellation, write a note explaining that the plates are lost or damaged and include it with your registration card and form RMV-14. The RMV will cancel the registration based on your registration card alone. Do not send anything else — do not send a police report or a lost-and-found claim, because the RMV does not require those documents to cancel.

Refunds and what you owe

Massachusetts registration runs on a calendar-year basis, expiring on December 31. If you cancel before the year ends, you may receive a refund of the unused portion of your registration fee. The refund amount depends on when you cancel. If you cancel in January, you get back most of the year's fee. If you cancel in November, the refund is small.

The RMV calculates the refund automatically and includes it on your cancellation receipt. If you are owed money, the RMV will mail you a check within 4 to 6 weeks. If you owe money — for example, because you had unpaid parking tickets or other violations on the vehicle — the RMV will note that on the receipt and may hold the refund until the debt is settled.

You do not pay anything to cancel the registration itself. There is no cancellation fee.

Canceling plates when you sell your vehicle

Cancel your registration before the buyer takes the car. This removes your name from the RMV's records and protects you if the new owner gets a ticket or is in an accident — the violation or claim will go to them, not to you. The buyer will then register the vehicle under their own name and plates.

Give the buyer a copy of your cancellation receipt. This proves to the RMV and to any future owner that you are no longer the registered owner. If you do not have the receipt, the RMV can issue a duplicate if you call or visit a branch.

Some people worry that canceling before the sale is final will leave them without proof of ownership. It will not. Your registration card is proof you owned the vehicle at the time you registered it. The cancellation receipt is proof you stopped owning it. Together, they create a clear timeline. The buyer will need a bill of sale (a straightforward document you both sign) to register the car in their name.

Transferring plates to a different vehicle instead of canceling

If you own another vehicle and want to use the same plates on it, you do not cancel. Instead, you transfer the plates. Go to an RMV branch with your registration card for the old vehicle, your registration card for the new vehicle, both sets of plates, and form RMV-14 marked as a transfer rather than a discontinuance.

The RMV will move the plates from the old vehicle to the new one in the system. You keep the same plate number. This is faster and cheaper than canceling one set and registering a new set. The process takes about 10 minutes in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to return the plates in person, or can I throw them away?

You must return them to the RMV or mail them. Do not throw them away or keep them. Plates are state property. If you keep them or dispose of them without canceling the registration, the RMV will continue to associate them with your name, and you could be held responsible for violations on that plate number.

What if I move out of state — do I still need to cancel my Massachusetts plates?

Yes. Cancel your Massachusetts registration before you register the vehicle in the new state. This removes your name from Massachusetts records. Most states will not register a vehicle that is still registered elsewhere, so canceling first is usually required.

How long does the RMV keep records after I cancel?

The RMV keeps registration records for at least several years for tax and legal purposes. Your cancellation receipt shows the date the registration ended. If you need a copy of your registration history later, the RMV can provide one.

Can I cancel plates online?

No. The RMV does not offer online cancellation. You must go in person or mail your plates and form RMV-14. Some RMV services are available online, but plate cancellation is not one of them.

What if the RMV lost my plates in the mail?

If you mailed plates with tracking and the RMV never received them, contact the RMV with your tracking number. They will investigate. If the plates are confirmed lost, the RMV will cancel your registration based on your registration card and the tracking proof. You are not responsible for plates lost in transit if you used a tracked method.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.