Report the theft to your local police department first

Call your local police non-emergency line or visit the station in person to file a report. You will need the plate number, your vehicle identification number (VIN), and the date you discovered it missing. The police will give you a report number — keep this, because your insurance company and the DMV will ask for it.

Some departments let you file online through their website. Check your city or county police department's site to see if that option is available. If you file in person, bring your vehicle registration and a photo of your vehicle if you have one showing where the plate was mounted.

The police report creates an official record that the plate is stolen, not just missing. This matters because someone could use your plate on another vehicle to commit a crime or rack up traffic violations in your name.

Key Takeaways

  • File a police report with your local department using your plate number and VIN, and save the report number for your records.
  • Contact your state's DMV or motor vehicle agency to report the theft and request replacement plates, usually within a few days of the police report.
  • Notify your insurance company of the theft so they have documentation if someone uses your plate illegally.
  • Check your state's traffic violation records periodically to catch any tickets issued under your stolen plate before they affect your driving record.
  • If you receive a ticket or violation notice for something you didn't do, respond when ready with your police report number as proof the plate was stolen.

Contact your state DMV to report the plate stolen and order replacements

After you have the police report number, call your state's Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent agency (some states call it the Secretary of State or Registry of Motor Vehicles). Tell them the plate is stolen and provide the report number. They will flag the plate in their system so it cannot be used legally by anyone else.

The DMV will issue you replacement plates. In most states, you pay a fee for new plates — typically $15 to $50, depending on your state and plate type. Some states waive the fee if you report the theft within a certain window, usually 30 days. Ask when you call.

You can usually order replacement plates by phone, mail, or online through your state's DMV website. The fastest method is often online. New plates typically arrive within one to three weeks. Until they arrive, you may be able to get temporary plates from your local DMV office if you visit in person.

Notify your insurance company

Contact your auto insurance company and report the stolen plate. Provide them with the police report number and the date you discovered the theft. This creates a record with your insurer that the plate was stolen, which protects you if someone uses it illegally.

Insurance companies need this documentation because if a traffic violation or accident occurs under your stolen plate, you could be held liable unless you can prove the plate was not in your possession. Your insurer will note this in your file so they can defend you if a claim arises.

Monitor traffic records for violations issued under your stolen plate

Once a plate is stolen, someone could use it on another vehicle. This means traffic tickets, tolls, or even criminal activity could be recorded under your plate number. You will not automatically know this happened.

Check your state's traffic violation records every few months. Most states let you search online by plate number or driver's license number through the DMV website or a state traffic court portal. Look for any tickets or violations you did not receive in person.

If you find a violation issued under your stolen plate, respond to the ticket or violation notice when ready. Include a copy of your police report showing the plate was stolen at the time the violation occurred. Courts will typically dismiss the ticket once they see proof the plate was not in your possession.

What to do if you receive a ticket for something your stolen plate did

If a ticket arrives in the mail for a violation you know you did not commit, do not ignore it. Respond within the important date shown on the ticket — usually 10 to 30 days depending on your state.

Write to the court or traffic authority listed on the ticket. Explain that your plate was stolen on [date], provide your police report number, and include a copy of the police report if possible. Attach proof from the DMV showing when you reported the theft and ordered replacement plates.

Most courts will dismiss the ticket once they see documentation that your plate was stolen before the violation occurred. If the court does not respond or denies your request, you can appear in person or request a hearing to present your evidence to a judge.

Consider filing a report with the state highway patrol if the theft involves fraud

If you discover that your stolen plate was used in a hit-and-run, toll fraud, or other crime, contact your state highway patrol or state police in addition to your local police department. They investigate crimes involving vehicles across jurisdictions and can flag the plate in statewide systems.

Provide them with the same information: your plate number, VIN, the date of theft, and your local police report number. They may be able to trace where the plate was used and identify the vehicle that had it mounted.

Keep records of everything related to the theft

Save copies of your police report, the DMV confirmation that you reported the theft, your insurance company's acknowledgment, and any correspondence about replacement plates. Keep these documents for at least three years.

If a ticket or violation surfaces years later under your stolen plate, you will need proof that you reported it stolen. Having organized records makes it much faster to resolve disputes with courts or toll agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get replacement plates after reporting a theft?

New plates usually arrive within one to three weeks by mail. Many DMV offices issue temporary plates on the spot if you visit in person, which you can use when ready while waiting for permanent plates. Check your state's DMV website for the exact timeline and whether temporary plates are available in your area.

Will I have to pay for replacement plates if my plate was stolen?

Most states charge a fee for replacement plates, typically $15 to $50. Some states waive the fee if you report the theft within 30 days. Call your state DMV before ordering to ask whether a fee applies and whether you may have access to for a waiver based on when you reported it.

What happens if someone gets a ticket using my stolen plate?

The ticket will be recorded under your plate number. If you receive a notice in the mail, respond when ready with your police report number and proof the plate was stolen. Courts will dismiss the ticket once they confirm the plate was not in your possession at the time of the violation.

Do I need to report a stolen plate to my insurance company?

Yes. Notifying your insurer creates a record that protects you if someone uses your stolen plate in an accident or violation. Without this documentation, you could be held liable. Your insurer will note the theft in your file so they can defend you if a claim arises later.

Can someone use my stolen plate to commit a crime?

Yes, which is why reporting it to police is important. A stolen plate can be used in hit-and-runs, toll fraud, or other crimes. Reporting it to police and the DMV flags it in official systems so it cannot be legally registered to another vehicle, and it creates a record that you reported it stolen if you are later connected to a crime.