How to cancel your Connecticut license plates
To cancel your Connecticut license plates, you surrender them to the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in person or by mail, along with a completed form and proof that your vehicle is no longer registered or insured. The DMV will then deactivate the plates in their system. You do not need to cancel plates before selling or trading in a vehicle — the new owner's registration handles that — but you do need to cancel if you are scrapping the car, moving out of state, or letting your registration lapse.
The process takes about two weeks by mail and is when ready if you go in person. There is no fee to cancel plates. Once cancelled, you cannot reuse those plates; Connecticut issues new ones if you register another vehicle later.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel plates by mail using form DMV-14 or in person at any DMV office, and the process is free.
- You must include proof that your vehicle is no longer registered or insured, such as a cancellation notice from your insurance company or a junk title.
- Cancelling plates does not affect your driver's license or your ability to register a new vehicle in the future.
- If you are selling your vehicle to someone else, you do not need to cancel the plates — the new owner's registration transfer handles it automatically.
When you need to cancel Connecticut plates
You should cancel your plates if your vehicle is being scrapped, junked, or permanently taken off the road. You also need to cancel if you are moving out of Connecticut and will not be registering the vehicle in the state again. If you are selling the car to another person, the new owner will register it in their name, and you do not need to do anything with the plates.
If your registration has expired and you do not plan to renew it, cancelling the plates formally closes the account with the DMV. This prevents confusion if the DMV tries to contact you about the lapsed registration or if someone else later tries to register a vehicle under your name.
Cancelling plates by mail
To cancel by mail, complete form DMV-14 (the "process for Registration" form, which also handles cancellations). You can read it from the Connecticut DMV website or request it by calling the DMV at 860-594-2500. Fill in your name, address, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license plate number.
Include proof that your vehicle is no longer registered or insured. This can be a cancellation letter from your insurance company, a junk title from a salvage yard, or a letter from you stating that the vehicle is no longer in use. Mail the form and proof to the Connecticut DMV at the address listed on the form. Processing takes about two weeks. You do not need to include the physical plates themselves unless the DMV specifically requests them.
Cancelling plates in person at a DMV office
You can walk into any Connecticut DMV branch office and request to cancel your plates on the spot. Bring your driver's license, the vehicle's registration card, and proof that the vehicle is no longer insured or registered (such as a cancellation letter from your insurance company). If you have the physical plates, bring those as well, though they are not required.
The DMV will process the cancellation when ready and give you a receipt. If you brought the plates, they will take them. If you did not, you can keep them or destroy them — once the cancellation is processed in the system, the plates are no longer valid and cannot be used on any vehicle.
What happens to your plates after cancellation
Once cancelled, your plates are deactivated in the Connecticut DMV system and cannot be reused — not by you and not by anyone else. If you register a new vehicle in Connecticut in the future, you will receive a new set of plates with a different number.
You do not have to return the physical plates to the DMV, though you may do so if you wish. If you keep them, they are no longer legal to display on a vehicle. Some people keep old plates as keepsakes, but they cannot be mounted on a car that is driven on public roads.
Cancelling plates when selling your vehicle
If you are selling your car to another person, you do not need to cancel the plates. The new owner will register the vehicle in their name at the DMV, and that new registration automatically transfers the plates to their account. The old registration (yours) closes automatically once the new one is created.
If you are selling to a dealer or trading in the vehicle, the dealer handles the registration transfer, and again you do not need to cancel anything. The only time you cancel plates yourself is when the vehicle is being scrapped, junked, or permanently removed from service.
What you need to have ready
| Method | Required Documents | Time to Process |
|---|---|---|
| By mail | Form DMV-14, proof of non-insurance or junk title, vehicle VIN and plate number | About 2 weeks |
| In person at DMV | Driver's license, registration card, proof of non-insurance or junk title | when ready |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to return the physical plates to the DMV?
No. You may return them if you wish, but it is not required. Once the cancellation is processed in the system, the plates are no longer valid and cannot be used on any vehicle. You can keep them as a keepsake or destroy them.
What if I lost my registration card?
You can still cancel your plates. Bring your driver's license and any proof of non-insurance or a junk title. If you are cancelling in person, the DMV can look up your registration in their system. If you are mailing the form, include your vehicle identification number (VIN) and license plate number so the DMV can find your account.
Can I cancel plates if I still owe money on the car loan?
Yes. Cancelling the plates does not affect the loan. If the vehicle is being scrapped or junked, the lender may require proof that the car is gone, but the DMV does not. Contact your lender to let them know the vehicle is no longer in use.
Will cancelling my plates affect my driver's license?
No. Cancelling vehicle plates has no effect on your driver's license. Your license remains valid and active. You can register a new vehicle whenever you choose.
What if the DMV says they need the physical plates?
If the DMV contacts you and requests the plates, you can mail them to the address they provide. This is uncommon but may happen if there is a question about the vehicle's status or if the plates were reported lost or stolen.