The quick answer
- Find out if the plates are still active. Plates that are still tied to a registration usually have to be turned in or transferred, not thrown out.
- Return them when your state requires it. Some states want plates back when you sell or junk a car, cancel insurance or move away, and they can charge penalties if you skip it.
- Deface old plates you are allowed to discard. Mark them with a permanent marker or cut them up so no one can use them.
- Recycle the metal. Most plates are aluminum, which a scrap yard will take. Check whether your curbside program accepts them.
- Keep the paperwork. Any receipt from the motor vehicle office proves the plates were cancelled.
Active plates or old plates?
How you get rid of a plate depends on whether it still belongs to a live registration. A plate you just took off a car you sold, or off a car you are taking off the road, is usually still active. A plate that was replaced by a new set, or one from a registration that ended years ago, usually is not. The registration card, renewal notice or your state’s online vehicle record will tell you which you have.
This matters because in many states the plate, not the car, is what ties you to liability insurance, tolls and parking tickets. If an active plate ends up on someone else’s car, the tickets can come back to you.
When your state wants plates back
Rules differ from state to state, so check your state motor vehicle agency before you toss anything. A few examples show the range:
- New York requires you to surrender active plates before you cancel the vehicle’s liability insurance, and can suspend the registration and your license if you do not. Old plates that were replaced with new ones should not be sent back; the state asks you to mark or cut them and recycle them.
- Maryland requires you to return plates when you sell, trade or junk the vehicle, stop using it, cancel the insurance or move out of state, and advises keeping the insurance active until you get the return receipt.
- California requires you to surrender old plates or destroy them within a few business days after replacement plates arrive.
- Texas rules have the seller remove the plates in a private sale. Plates that are not moved to another of the seller’s vehicles are to be marked “VOID” or with a large X, then destroyed, recycled through a registered metal recycler or returned to the county tax office or the state motor vehicle agency.
Other states let the plates stay with the car when it is sold, or let you move them to your next vehicle. Look for a “plate return,” “plate surrender” or “cancel registration” page on your state’s motor vehicle site. Many states accept returned plates by mail or in a drop box, and the receipt is your proof.
How to deface old plates
- Remove frames, screws and fasteners. Some states will not accept plates with them attached, and scrap yards want clean metal.
- Peel off or destroy registration stickers. Scrape off any validation sticker on the plate, and destroy the registration and inspection stickers on the windshield of a car you no longer have.
- Mark the plate. Write “VOID” or draw a large X across the face with a permanent marker, or paint over the characters.
- Cut or bend it. Tin snips or aviation snips will cut an aluminum plate into pieces, and bending it in half makes it useless on a car. Wear gloves; cut edges are sharp.
Recycling plates as scrap metal
- Check the metal. Most modern plates are aluminum and will not stick to a magnet. Some older plates are steel and will. Both are scrap metal.
- Scrap yards. A scrap metal yard will usually take plates with other aluminum. One set will not be worth much, but it keeps the metal out of the landfill. Our guide to disposing of old car parts and scrap covers what yards usually take.
- Curbside recycling. Some programs accept flat aluminum; many only want cans and foil. Check your hauler’s list before you add plates to the cart. New York suggests putting just one plate in the bin per pickup, so the pair is never together.
- Drop-off centers. A city recycling center or transfer station with a metal pile is another option. Use the Dumpmapper map to find drop-off sites near you.
Keeping old plates
Many people keep plates as garage decor, framed souvenirs or part of a collection, and old plates from some years and states are sought after by collectors. In many states you can keep plates that are expired or replaced, but you usually cannot keep plates that must be surrendered. If you keep them, mark them so they cannot be mistaken for valid plates.
Some states also let owners of antique or classic cars display a plate from the car’s model year. If you have an old plate that matches a vintage car, ask the motor vehicle agency before you scrap it.
Special cases
- Selling or junking a car. Take the plates off unless your state says they stay with the car, and file the release of liability or notice of sale. Our guide to disposing of a junk car covers the paperwork side.
- Personalized and specialty plates. These can often be moved to another car or held for later. Ask before you return or destroy them, or you may lose the number.
- Moving to another state. Once you register the car in your new state, find out whether the old state wants its plates back. New York, for example, says plates from another state must go back to that state.
- Lost or stolen plates. Report them to the police and your motor vehicle agency so they can be cancelled.
- Dealer, temporary and paper tags. Follow the dealer’s or the state’s instructions; paper tags usually go in the trash once they expire.
What not to do
- Do not give or sell active plates to someone else to put on another vehicle.
- Do not throw intact plates in the trash where someone could pull them out and use them.
- Do not cancel your insurance first in a state that wants the plates back before the policy ends.
- Do not leave old plates in a car you sell, junk or donate unless your state says they stay with it.
License plate disposal FAQ
Do I have to return my old license plates?
It depends on your state and on whether the plates are still active. Some states require you to return plates when you sell or junk a car, cancel insurance or move away. Others let you keep or discard old plates. Check your state motor vehicle agency.
Can I throw away old license plates?
If your state does not want them back, deface them first with a permanent marker or by cutting them, then recycle them as scrap metal rather than tossing them whole.
Can license plates be recycled?
Yes. Most modern plates are aluminum and a scrap metal yard will usually take them. Some curbside programs accept them, but many do not, so check your local list first.
What happens if I don't turn in my plates?
In states that require it, you can face insurance lapse penalties or fines, and in New York the state can suspend the registration and your license. You may also be liable for tolls or tickets if someone uses the plates.
Can I keep my old license plates?
Often, yes, if they are expired or have been replaced and your state does not require surrender. Mark them so they cannot be used on a car.
What should I do with plates after I sell my car?
Follow your state's rule. Depending on the state, you transfer them to your next car, return them to the motor vehicle office, or deface and recycle them. File any notice of sale too.
The bottom line
Start by checking whether the plates are still active and whether your state wants them back. Return or transfer active plates and keep the receipt. Plates you are allowed to discard should be marked or cut so they cannot be reused, then recycled as scrap metal at a scrap yard, recycling center or, if your program allows it, in the curbside bin.