Where to return old license plates
Most states require you to return license plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or your state's equivalent agency when you no longer need them. The plates remain the property of the state, not yours, even though you paid for them. Returning them is usually free and takes a few minutes at any DMV office or authorized sub-agent location.
You can return plates in person at your local DMV during business hours. Some states also allow you to mail plates back using a prepaid envelope or a form the DMV provides. A few states, including California and Texas, let you return plates at certain retail locations like AAA offices or vehicle registration services. Check your state's DMV website for the specific return method and locations available in your area.
When you return plates, bring your vehicle registration or identification to confirm ownership. The DMV will issue you a receipt showing the plates were surrendered. Keep this receipt in case questions arise later about the plates or your vehicle registration status.
Key Takeaways
- License plates belong to the state, and most states require you to return them to the DMV when you no longer need them.
- You can return plates in person at a DMV office, by mail, or at authorized retail locations depending on your state's rules.
- Keeping old plates without permission is illegal in most states and can result in fines or other penalties.
- If you want to keep a plate for personal use, you must request permission from your state's DMV before removing it from your vehicle.
- Plates that cannot be returned can sometimes be recycled through scrap metal programs or donated to nonprofits that collect them.
When you can legally keep old license plates
A few states allow you to keep expired or replaced plates if you request permission from the DMV before or when ready after the plates are no longer in use. This is typically allowed only for display, collection, or historical purposes — not for use on a vehicle. States that permit this usually require you to fill out a form or contact the DMV to document that you have permission.
Even in states that allow it, there are usually restrictions. You cannot use the plate on any vehicle, even a parked one. You cannot sell it or transfer it to someone else. The plate must remain in your possession as a keepsake or collectible. If you move to a different state, you may have to surrender the plate or follow that state's rules for keeping it.
Contact your state's DMV directly to ask whether keeping old plates is permitted and what steps you need to take. Some states make this information straightforward to find on their website; others require a phone call or in-person visit to get a clear answer.
Recycling and donating old license plates
If your state does not allow you to keep plates and you cannot return them to the DMV (for example, if you moved out of state), you can recycle them through a scrap metal program. License plates are made of aluminum or steel and have value as scrap metal. Local recycling centers, scrap metal dealers, or metal recycling programs often accept plates at no charge.
Before taking plates to a recycler, remove any personal information or stickers. Some recyclers ask that you drill a hole through the plate or deface it so it cannot be reused on a vehicle. Call ahead to confirm the recycler accepts license plates and what preparation they require.
Some nonprofit organizations and museums collect vintage or historical license plates for display or educational purposes. If you have an old plate with historical significance or from a rare year, you might contact local historical societies or automotive museums to see if they are interested. This is less common than recycling, but it can be a good option if the plate has value beyond its material.
What happens if you keep plates without permission
Keeping license plates without your state's permission is illegal in most states. The penalties vary but can include fines ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars, depending on the state and whether you are caught using the plate on a vehicle or straightforward possessing it. Some states treat unauthorized possession as a misdemeanor, which can result in criminal charges in addition to fines.
The risk is higher if you use an old plate on a vehicle, even temporarily or for display. Law enforcement can stop you, and the plate can be confiscated. If the plate is from a different state or an expired registration, you may face additional charges related to vehicle registration violations.
If you are unsure whether your state allows you to keep plates, it is safer to return them or recycle them than to risk a fine. The DMV can answer this question quickly, and the process of returning plates is straightforward enough that the legal risk is not worth avoiding it.
Returning plates when you sell or transfer a vehicle
When you sell a vehicle, the plates typically stay with you, not the car. You remove them before handing over the vehicle to the new owner. In some states, you can transfer the plates to your new vehicle if you register it in the same state. In other states, you must return the old plates and receive new ones for the new vehicle.
Check your state's DMV rules about plate transfer before you sell your vehicle. If transfer is allowed, you can often do it at the same time you register the new vehicle. If transfer is not allowed, plan to return the old plates within the timeframe your state specifies — usually within 30 days of the vehicle sale or registration change.
When you transfer ownership of a vehicle, provide the new owner with documentation showing the plates have been removed or will be returned. This protects you from liability if the new owner uses the old plates or if the plates are later found and traced back to you.
Plates from vehicles that are junked or totaled
If your vehicle is declared a total loss by an insurance company or is sent to a junkyard, you are still responsible for returning the plates to the DMV. The junkyard or salvage yard does not automatically handle this for you. Remove the plates before the vehicle leaves your possession, or contact the DMV to report the vehicle as junked and ask about plate return procedures.
Some states allow you to surrender the plates at the same time you report the vehicle as junked or explore for a salvage title. Others require a separate trip to the DMV. The DMV can tell you the exact process for your state and whether you need to bring any documentation from the insurance company or salvage yard.
If you do not return the plates after a vehicle is junked, you may continue to receive registration renewal notices or bills. Returning the plates clears your record and stops these notices.
Special cases: Personalized and vanity plates
Personalized or vanity plates follow the same return rules as standard plates, but there are a few additional steps. If you paid extra for a personalized plate and want to keep the same number or design on a future vehicle, ask the DMV whether you can reserve it before returning the current plate. Some states allow this; others do not.
If you paid a one-time fee for a personalized plate and no longer want it, that fee is usually not refunded. However, if you return the plate and later want a different personalized plate, you will pay the personalization fee again. Check your state's DMV website or call to understand the cost and reservation options before you return a personalized plate.
Vanity plates that support charitable organizations or causes (such as specialty plates for wildlife conservation or military service) may have additional return requirements. The DMV can explain whether any portion of your registration fee is refundable and how to handle the plate return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my old license plate as a souvenir?
It depends on your state. Some states allow you to keep expired or replaced plates for display or collection if you request permission from the DMV. Others prohibit it entirely. Contact your state's DMV to ask whether keeping plates is permitted and what steps you need to take to get written permission.
What if I moved to a different state and still have old plates?
You should return the plates to the DMV of the state that issued them, either by mail or in person if you travel back. If that is not practical, contact that state's DMV to ask about mailing options or whether you can surrender them to your new state's DMV. Keeping plates from another state without permission can create legal complications.
Do I get money back if I return my personalized plates?
No. The fee you paid for personalization is not refunded when you return the plate. If you want a personalized plate in the future, you will pay the personalization fee again. Some states allow you to reserve a personalized number before returning the current plate, so you can use the same design on a new vehicle.
What if the DMV is closed and I need to get rid of plates quickly?
You can recycle plates at a scrap metal facility or metal recycling center while you wait for the DMV to reopen. Make sure to remove or deface any personal information on the plate first. Once the DMV reopens, contact them to report that the plates have been recycled so your record is clear.
Can I sell old license plates online?
Selling plates online is illegal in most states without explicit permission from the DMV. Even vintage or rare plates cannot be sold without authorization. Recycling or donating them to a museum or historical society is the legal alternative if you cannot return them to the DMV.