Steps for Turning In Your Plates and Ending Vehicle Registration
If you no longer have your car—or you're not driving it anymore—you'll need to hand back your license plate and formally close out the registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Completing these steps lets the DMV know the vehicle is no longer yours, so you won't be responsible for related taxes and charges.
By Cameron Davis4 steps
A vehicle owner may surrender his license plate at the DMV.
After selling your car or deciding to stop driving it, you must return your license plate and end your vehicle registration. This notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that you are no longer the owner, freeing you from paying taxes and other vehicle-related fees.
Step 1
Find a Department of Motor Vehicles office close to you. Look in your local yellow pages to identify the nearest location.
Step 2
Take your license plate, registration card, and decals to the DMV office and hand them to the clerk. Decals are the stickers issued when you register your vehicle with the DMV. They go on your license plate and must be renewed annually.
Step 3
Complete the required forms. Inform the clerk that you also wish to cancel your car registration.
Step 4
Alternatively, mail your license plate, decal, and a signed letter asking for cancellation to the DMV. Get in touch with your local DMV office to obtain the address for its central services division. Use a traceable shipping method and request delivery confirmation. After your request is handled, the DMV will mail you a confirmation letter. Save this letter for your records.
