You cannot straightforward throw away old license plates — most states require you to return them or destroy them in a specific way

Tossing old plates in the trash or recycling bin is illegal in most states. License plates contain identifying information tied to your vehicle registration, and leaving them in circulation — even in a landfill — creates a security and fraud risk. States have different rules about what you must do with plates you no longer need, but the common requirement is that you either return them to your state's motor vehicle department or destroy them under official supervision.

The method depends on why you no longer need the plates. If you're surrendering your vehicle registration, selling the car, or moving out of state, the process is usually straightforward. If you straightforward want to dispose of old plates you've kept in a garage, you'll need to contact your state's department of motor vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency to find out the approved destruction method.

Key Takeaways

  • Throwing away license plates in regular trash or recycling is illegal in most states because plates contain registration data that poses a fraud risk.
  • When you sell or surrender a vehicle, you must return the plates to your state's DMV or follow the specific surrender process your state requires.
  • Some states allow you to destroy plates yourself at home, while others require you to turn them in to an official location or authorized scrap metal facility.
  • The exact process varies by state, so contact your DMV before disposing of any plates to learn what your state requires.
  • Keeping old plates without a registered vehicle can be illegal in some states, so don't store them indefinitely without checking your state's rules.

Return plates when you sell or surrender your vehicle

If you're selling your car, the plates typically stay with you unless you transfer them to a new vehicle. When you sell the car, you should remove the plates and either keep them or return them to your DMV. Most states do not require you to return plates when you sell a vehicle, but some do. Check your state's DMV website or call to confirm whether plates must be returned or whether you can keep them.

If you're surrendering your vehicle registration — because you're scrapping the car, moving out of state, or no longer own a vehicle — you must return the plates. This is usually done at the same time you surrender your registration. Some states allow you to mail plates in, while others require you to bring them to a DMV office in person. A few states will accept plates at authorized third-party locations like auto tag agencies.

Destruction methods vary by state

Some states allow you to destroy plates at home by cutting them in half or drilling holes through the registration number. Others prohibit this and require you to turn plates in to an official location. A third group of states allows you to take plates to a licensed scrap metal recycler, who will destroy them and provide documentation.

Before you destroy any plates yourself, contact your state's DMV to confirm that home destruction is allowed. If it is, you'll typically need to cut or drill through the registration number to make the plate unreadable. Take a photo of the destroyed plate for your records in case questions arise later. Some states ask you to report the destruction to the DMV in writing, while others do not.

What to do if you've kept old plates for years

If you have old plates sitting in a garage or storage from a vehicle you no longer own, you should not keep them indefinitely. In some states, possessing license plates without a corresponding registered vehicle can be illegal. Contact your DMV and explain that you have old plates you want to dispose of. They will tell you whether you can destroy them at home, must mail them in, or need to bring them to an office.

Do not attempt to sell old plates online or give them to someone else. Plates are tied to vehicle registration records, and transferring them outside official channels creates liability for both you and the recipient. The safest route is always to go through your state's DMV.

Plates with personalized or vanity numbers

If your old plates have a personalized or vanity number, the process is the same — you still must return or destroy them according to your state's rules. However, if you want to keep the personalized number for a future vehicle, you may be able to transfer it during the return process. Ask your DMV whether you can retire the physical plate while keeping the number on file for later use.

Some states charge a fee to transfer a personalized number to a new plate, while others do not. This is a good reason to contact your DMV before destroying the plates — you can ask about transfer options at the same time you learn about disposal requirements.

Plates from vehicles registered in other states

If you moved to a new state and have old plates from your previous state, you should return them to that state's DMV, not your current one. Most states have a mail-in process for this. Contact the DMV in the state where the plates were issued and ask for their return procedure. They will provide you with an address and any required forms.

If you no longer remember which state issued the plates, look at the state name printed on the plate itself. You can also search online for that state's DMV website and find their plate return instructions. Returning plates to the correct state keeps your registration records clean and prevents confusion if the previous state tries to contact you about the vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recycle old license plates in my curbside bin?

No. License plates should not go in curbside recycling because they contain registration data and metal components that require special handling. Contact your DMV for the correct disposal method in your state.

What if I lost my old plates and can't find them?

Contact your DMV and report them lost. They will update your records and may ask you to sign a form confirming the loss. You do not need to produce the physical plates to close out a registration or transfer your vehicle.

Can I keep old plates as a souvenir or decoration?

This depends on your state. Some states allow you to keep retired or antique plates for personal use, while others prohibit keeping any plates without a registered vehicle. Check your state's DMV website or call to ask whether keeping plates as decoration is legal.

Do I need to return plates if I'm moving out of state?

If you're moving and no longer registering a vehicle in your current state, you should return the plates to that state's DMV. If you're keeping the vehicle and registering it in the new state, you'll get new plates there and should return the old ones to your previous state.

What happens if I just throw plates away and no one finds out?

While enforcement varies, improper disposal of license plates is illegal in most states. If discovered, you could face a fine. More importantly, plates in landfills or recycling streams pose identity and fraud risks. The correct disposal method takes only a phone call to your DMV.