Where to turn in your old license plates
The place to dispose of license plates depends on why you no longer need them. If you're replacing plates because they're damaged or expired, your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency will take them back — usually at the same office where you renew registration. Some states allow you to mail them in; others require an in-person visit. A few states don't require return at all, though returning them protects you from liability if someone uses your old plate number fraudulently.
If you're selling or trading in a vehicle, the dealership or private buyer typically handles plate disposal as part of the title transfer. You'll remove the plates before handing over the car, and the new owner will either use them or turn them in. Check your state's rules — some require you to remove plates before sale, while others let the buyer keep them if they're transferring the registration to their name.
When a vehicle is junked or scrapped, the salvage yard will take the plates as part of the vehicle destruction process. You don't need to remove them yourself; the yard handles it during dismantling. If you're keeping the plates as a souvenir or for another reason, most states allow this, but the plates become non-functional once the registration is cancelled.
Key Takeaways
- Return plates to your state DMV or motor vehicle agency when they expire, are damaged, or the vehicle is no longer registered in your name.
- If you're selling a vehicle, remove the plates before transfer unless your state law requires the buyer to handle it — check your state's specific rules.
- Salvage yards automatically collect plates from junked vehicles, so you don't need to remove them beforehand.
- Some states allow you to keep old plates as souvenirs once registration is cancelled, but they cannot be used on any vehicle.
- Returning plates protects you from liability if someone fraudulently uses your old plate number after you've sold or scrapped the vehicle.
DMV return procedures by state
Most states accept plate returns at any DMV office during regular business hours. You typically bring the plates in person, though some states — including California, New York, and Texas — allow you to mail them. If mailing, check your state's DMV website for the correct address and whether you need to include a form or cover letter. Some states ask you to cut the plates in half before mailing to prevent reuse.
A few states don't require return at all. In those cases, you can destroy the plates yourself by cutting or drilling them, or straightforward keep them. However, even in states where return is optional, returning them is the safer choice because it creates an official record that you no longer own the vehicle. This protects you if the plates are found or misused after you've sold the car.
When you return plates, ask for a receipt or confirmation. This documents that you turned them in and can protect you if the plates are later used in a traffic violation or crime. Keep the receipt with your vehicle records for at least a few years.
What happens to plates after you return them
Once returned to the DMV, plates are either destroyed or refurbished for reuse. Most states destroy plates to prevent fraud — a plate that's been out of circulation cannot be stolen and reassigned to someone else's vehicle. Some states refurbish plates that are still in good condition, removing the old registration sticker and reassigning the plate number to a new owner after several years have passed.
The specific process varies by state. Some DMVs shred plates when ready; others store them for a set period before destruction. A few states recycle the metal. The key point is that once a plate is returned and the registration is cancelled, that plate number is no longer tied to your vehicle, and you have no further liability for it.
Removing plates before selling or trading in a vehicle
When you sell a car privately, remove the license plates before handing over the keys. Use a screwdriver or socket wrench to unscrew the bolts holding the plate frame to the bumper — usually two bolts per plate, one at the top and one at the bottom. Keep the bolts in case the new owner wants to reattach a plate frame. Remove both the front and rear plates if your state requires both.
If you're trading in a vehicle at a dealership, ask whether you should remove the plates or leave them on. Most dealerships prefer you remove them so they can process the vehicle as-is without handling plates. However, some dealerships will remove them for you as part of the trade-in process. Clarify this before you arrive so there's no confusion at handoff.
After removing the plates, you're responsible for turning them in to your DMV or keeping them if your state allows. Do not leave plates on a vehicle you no longer own — the new owner may not turn them in, and you could face liability if they're misused.
Destroying plates yourself if return is not required
In states where DMV return is not required, you can destroy plates yourself. The most common methods are cutting the plate in half with a reciprocating saw or angle grinder, or drilling multiple large holes through the plate to make it unusable. The goal is to render the plate unreadable and unable to be mounted on a vehicle.
If you use power tools, wear safety glasses and gloves — metal shavings and sharp edges are created during cutting or drilling. Work in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. After destroying the plate, you can place it in regular trash or take it to a metal recycling facility if one is nearby.
Even if destruction is allowed, returning plates to the DMV is still the better option because it creates an official record. Destruction alone doesn't notify the state that you no longer own the vehicle, so there's no paper trail if questions arise later.
Liability and fraud protection after disposal
Once you sell or scrap a vehicle, you remain liable for traffic violations, parking tickets, and other infractions if the plates are still registered in your name. The only way to fully protect yourself is to cancel the registration and may support the plates are no longer in circulation. Returning plates to the DMV accomplishes this because it creates a documented record that you turned them in.
If you sell a vehicle and the new owner doesn't register it in their name when ready, the plates remain registered to you. If they rack up parking tickets or get caught speeding, you could receive the citations. To prevent this, cancel your registration as soon as the sale is complete — don't wait for the new owner to register the vehicle. Most states allow you to cancel online, by mail, or in person at the DMV.
If you discover that your old plates have been misused after you've disposed of them, contact your DMV and local police to file a report. Provide documentation of the sale or scrap date and proof that you returned or destroyed the plates. This creates a record that you're not responsible for violations that occurred after the vehicle left your ownership.
Special cases: vintage plates and personalized plates
If you have a vintage or personalized plate that you want to keep as a souvenir, most states allow this once the registration is cancelled. The plate becomes a non-functional collectible. However, you must still cancel the vehicle's registration — the plate cannot be transferred to another vehicle or kept active. Some collectors keep old plates as memorabilia; others frame them or display them in garages.
If you have a personalized plate that you want to use on a new vehicle, contact your DMV before disposing of the old vehicle. Most states allow you to transfer a personalized plate to a new registration without losing the custom number. The process usually involves paying a transfer fee and updating your registration. Do this before you sell or scrap the old vehicle to avoid losing the plate number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to return my license plates to the DMV?
It depends on your state. Most states require or strongly recommend returning plates to the DMV when a vehicle is sold, scrapped, or no longer registered. Some states don't legally require return, but returning them protects you from liability if the plates are misused after you've sold the vehicle. Check your state DMV website for the specific rule.
What if I lose my license plates before I can return them?
Contact your DMV and report them lost or stolen. Provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) and registration information. The DMV will cancel those plates and issue new ones if you still own the vehicle. If you've already sold the vehicle, straightforward notify the DMV that the plates are lost and the registration is being transferred — they'll handle the rest.
Can I keep my old license plates as a souvenir?
Yes, in most states you can keep old plates once the registration is cancelled. However, you must still cancel the registration and remove the plates from active use. The plate becomes a non-functional collectible. If you want to keep a personalized plate and use it on a new vehicle, contact your DMV about transferring it before you sell the old car.
Who removes the plates when I trade in my car at a dealership?
Ask the dealership before you arrive. Most prefer you remove them yourself, but some will do it as part of the trade-in process. Either way, you're responsible for turning them in to the DMV afterward unless the dealership handles it for you. Confirm this in writing or get a receipt showing the dealership took possession of the plates.
Am I liable for traffic violations if the new owner uses my old plates?
Yes, until the registration is cancelled and the plates are no longer in circulation. Cancel your registration when ready after selling the vehicle — don't wait for the new owner to register it. If violations occur after you've cancelled registration and returned the plates, provide the DMV with proof of the cancellation and disposal date to show you're not responsible.