There can be some confusion when it comes to what you need to do with your car’s old license plates when you sell the vehicle, get new tags, or move to a different state.
The rules vary from state to state, but VINvaquero.com is here to take the confusion out of it.
If you’ve got any questions pertaining to your situation, be sure to contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
Otherwise, follow the tips on this page to learn what you’ll need to do to return, reuse, or recycle your old license plates.
Looking for information about a vehicle based on its license plate? Use our free license plate lookup to run a plate from any state.
Options for Old License Plates
Depending on where you live, you’ll have a handful of options when it comes to what you can do with your old license plates, they include:
- Returning the license plates to the DMV.
- Destroying or recycling your license plates.
- Transferring the old plates to a new car.
Your options will depend on the state you live in and the type of plates you have.
Continue reading for more details.
What to do With Your Old License Plates When you Move to a New State
When you move to a new state, you’ll need to register and title your vehicle in that state after becoming a resident – you’ll typically have 30 to 60 days to do so.
After you register your car in your new state, your old registration and license plates will be invalid.
Here, you’ll have two options on what to do with your plates. You’ll need to either:
- Return your old plates back to your old state DMV.
- Destroy or recycle the plates.
Additionally, you can cancel your old state registration and notify them that you’ve moved out of state. This will ensure you’re not mailed a renewal notice when your previous tags expire.
Check with your old state DMV for further details.
What to do With your License Plates when you Sell Your Vehicle
When you sell your vehicle, you’ll also need to know what to do with the license plates.
Again, the requirements vary by state.
Depending on the state, your old license plates will either stay with the vehicle and the new owner OR they’ll stay with you, the seller.
If your state requires the license plates to stay with the seller, you’ll typically have the option of:
- Transferring them to a new vehicle.
- Returning them to the DMV.
- Destroying or recycling them.
If you have personalized or specialty license plates, they’ll usually stay with you, the seller, in every state.
Check out some of the general requirements for old license plates by state below.
Learn more about some related topics:
- How to Sell Your Car
- Paperwork When Selling a Car
- How to Buy a Car From a Private Seller
- How to Buy a Car Out of State
- Paperwork Needed to Buy a Car
Rules for Returning License Plates by State
Refer to your state below for more details on what to do with your old license plates.
Be sure to visit the official DMV website or contact a customer service representative for more details.
Alabama
In Alabama, your old license plates stay with the previous owner of the vehicle.
You’ll have the option of transferring your old plates to another vehicle, returning them to the DOR, or destroying them.
Alaska
Standard license plates should stay with the vehicle in Alaska.
Arizona
In Arizona, license plates stay with the previous registered owner.
Old AZ license plates can be:
- Transferred.
- Returned to the MVD.
- Recycled or destroyed.
Arkansas
Arkansas license plates remain with the seller of the vehicle.
You can either transfer them or return them back to the DMV.
California
In California, license plates should remain with the vehicle during a sale.
Special plates and personalized plates can stay with the owner and be transferred to another car or recycled.
Colorado
Old CO license plates remain with the previous owner.
The old plates can be transferred to another vehicle.
Otherwise, the old license plates should be returned to the CO DMV or destroyed.
Connecticut
CT license plates stay with the seller/previous owner.
They can be transferred to another vehicle, along with any unused portion of the registration fees.
If you don’t transfer the old plates, they should be returned to the CT DMV.
Delaware
In Delaware, the old license plates stay with the vehicle unless you plan to transfer them to a different vehicle.
Florida
In Florida, old license plates stay with the previous registered owner.
After that, you will either need to transfer them to a different vehicle OR return them to HSMV. You may face penalties if you fail to do so.
Georgia
In Georgia, old license plates stay with the seller.
After canceling the old registration and insurance, you have the option of transferring your old plates to a new vehicle.
Hawaii
Hawaii license plates should stay with the vehicle during a sale or transfer.
Idaho
Idaho license plates stay with the seller. You’ll have the option of transferring them, returning them, or destroying them.
Illinois
In Illinois, the old license plates stay with the seller.
You can transfer old plates to a new vehicle or return them to the SOS.
Indiana
In Indiana, license plates stay with the registered owner.
Old plates can be transferred, returned, or destroyed.
Iowa
Old license plates in Iowa can be transferred to a new vehicle or returned for a registration credit.
Kansas
Sellers in Kansas should keep their old license plates and transfer them to a new vehicle or return them to the DMV.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, old plates should be returned to your local county Clerk’s office unless you plan on transferring them to a different car.
Louisiana
Old license plates in Louisiana should be kept by the seller/previous owner.
You’ll be able to return them to the LA OMV or destroy/recycle them.
Maine
In Maine, the old license plates are kept by the seller.
Old plates can be transferred to a new vehicle or returned to the ME BMV.
Maryland
Old license plates in Maryland should be kept by the seller.
They can then be transferred to a new vehicle or returned.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the seller keeps the plates.
You can then transfer them, return them, or destroy them.
Michigan
Old Michigan license plates are kept by the seller.
You’ll have the option of transferring them to a different vehicle, returning them to the SOS, or destroying them.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, old license plates remain with the vehicle.
Personalized or specialty plates can be kept and transferred to a new vehicle.
Mississippi
Old license plates in Mississippi stay with the previous owner.
Unless you plan on transferring them to a different vehicle, you’ll need to return them to the DOR.
Missouri
In Missouri, old license plates stay with the seller, and can be transferred, returned, or destroyed.
Montana
Montana license plates should stay with the previous owner.
After that, they can be transferred to a new vehicle, returned, or destroyed.
Nebraska
Nebraska license plates are to be retained by the previous owner.
The old plates should be returned to the NE DMV in order for you to receive a refund on any unused registration fees.
Nevada
In Nevada, old license plates stay with the seller, and can be used for a different vehicle within 30 to 60 days.
Plates that won’t be transferred should be returned to the DMV.
New Hampshire
Old license plates should be kept by the seller in New Hampshire.
The plates and any remaining registration can be transferred to a new vehicle or returned.
New Jersey
In New Jersey, the seller keeps the old tags.
Old plates can be transferred to a different car.
Otherwise, you’ll need to return them to the New Jersey MVC.
New Mexico
The New Mexico MVD requires that old plates remain with the registered owner.
Old license plates should either be transferred to a different car, returned to the MVD, or destroyed.
New York
New York license plates stay with the registered owner, and can be transferred to a different car.
Alternatively, you may be able to return them to the DMV for a registration refund.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, old license plates stay with the seller to be transferred or returned.
North Dakota
North Dakota license plates also remain with the seller, and can be transferred to a different vehicle.
Ohio
Old Ohio license plates should be kept by the seller to be transferred to a new car, returned, or destroyed.
Oklahoma
OK license plates should stay with the registered owner.
You’ll have the option to transfer them to be used on a different vehicle.
Oregon
Oregon license plates are to be kept by the registered owner.
Old plates and any remaining time left on the registration can be used on a different vehicle.
Pennsylvania
Old license plates in Pennsylvania can either be transferred to a different vehicle or returned to the DOT.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, you’ll need to keep your license plates and either transfer them to a different car or return them to the DMV.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, old license plates stay with the seller.
You can transfer old plates to a different vehicle or return them.
South Dakota
South Dakota license plates also remain with the registered owner, and can be used on a different vehicle.
Tennessee
Old license plates in Tennessee should stay with the seller and can be used to register a different vehicle.
Texas
In Texas, old license plates stay with the seller/previous owner.
You can transfer them, return them, or destroy them.
Utah
In Utah, old license plates stay with the seller.
If you have a vehicle of the same class and registration, you can transfer your old license plates to it.
Otherwise, old license plates should be returned to the DMV or destroyed.
Vermont
In Vermont, your old license plates should stay with you.
Old plates can be transferred to a different vehicle, returned, or destroyed.
Virginia
In Virginia, old license plates can be transferred to a different vehicle or returned to the DMV for a potential refund.
Washington
Washington license plates should be retained by the registered owner.
You’ll be able to transfer them to a different vehicle or surrender them to the DOL.
Washington DC
Old license plates stay with the seller in DC, and should either be returned, destroyed, or transferred.
West Virginia
West Virginia license plates should be kept by the seller.
You’ll have the option of transferring them to a new car or returning them.
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, the old license plates will stay with the vehicle unless the vehicle is a:
- Motorcycle.
- Motorhome.
- Motor truck.
- Dual purpose truck with a GVWR under 8,001 lbs.
Wyoming
In Wyoming, old license plates stay with the registered owner.
You can either transfer them, return them to your local county clerk, or destroy them.