How to Cancel Your License Plate in Louisiana

When and how to cancel a Louisiana license plate

You cancel a Louisiana license plate by returning it to the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) in person or by mail, along with a completed Form MV 40 (process for Registration). The plate itself must be physically returned — you cannot cancel it by phone or online. If you're selling the vehicle, the new owner will need to register it with their own plate. If you're keeping the vehicle but no longer need it registered, you'll surrender the plate and the registration ends.

The process takes a few days by mail or is when ready in person. You do not need to provide a reason for cancellation, and you may be due a refund of unused registration fees depending on when in your registration year you cancel.

Key Takeaways

Louisiana requires you to physically return your license plate to the OMV along with Form MV 40 to cancel registration.
You can cancel by mail or in person at any OMV office, and the process takes a few days by mail or is when ready in person.
If you cancel before your registration expires, you may receive a refund of the unused portion of your registration fee.
Selling your vehicle does not automatically cancel your plate — the buyer must register it in their name with a new plate.
If your vehicle is totaled or you no longer own it, cancellation stops you from being liable for registration fees or violations on that plate.

Canceling by mail

To cancel by mail, complete Form MV 40 and include both your current license plate and the vehicle's registration card. Mail the package to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, LA 70896. Include a cover letter stating that you are requesting cancellation of registration and provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) and current plate number so the OMV can match your request to the correct registration.

Processing takes 5 to 10 business days after the OMV receives your package. Keep a copy of Form MV 40 and your cover letter for your records. If you are due a refund, the OMV will mail it to the address on file with your registration, usually within two to three weeks of processing.

Canceling in person at an OMV office

Visit any Louisiana OMV office with your license plate, vehicle registration card, and a completed Form MV 40. Bring a photo ID. The staff will take your plate and registration card, process the cancellation on the spot, and give you a receipt. The cancellation is effective when ready.

OMV offices are located in most parishes. You can find the office nearest you and its hours on the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website. Bring all documents with you — you cannot cancel without the physical plate and registration card present.

Refunds for unused registration fees

Louisiana refunds the unused portion of your registration fee if you cancel before your registration expires. The refund is calculated from the date the OMV processes your cancellation, not the date you submit it. If you cancel by mail, the refund is based on the date received at the OMV office.

For example, if your registration was valid for 12 months and you cancel after 6 months, you will receive a refund for the remaining 6 months. The refund is mailed to the address on file with your registration. There is no fee to cancel or to receive a refund.

What happens when you sell your vehicle

Selling your vehicle does not automatically cancel your plate or registration. The buyer must register the vehicle in their own name at the OMV. If the buyer does not register it, you remain the registered owner and are responsible for any registration renewal fees, parking violations, or traffic citations issued to that plate.

To protect yourself, cancel your registration as soon as the sale is complete. Get a bill of sale signed by both you and the buyer, and keep a copy. If the buyer later fails to register the vehicle and violations are issued, you can show the bill of sale and your cancellation receipt to prove you no longer owned it at the time of the violation.

Canceling a plate for a totaled or non-operational vehicle

If your vehicle is totaled in an accident or is no longer drivable, you still need to cancel the plate at the OMV to stop being charged registration fees. If your insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss, you may have a salvage title or a notice from the insurer. Bring this documentation to the OMV along with your plate and Form MV 40.

If the vehicle is straightforward not running and you do not plan to repair it, cancellation is still the correct step. Do not leave a registration active on a vehicle you do not intend to drive — you remain liable for fees and any violations that occur while the plate is registered to you.

Special situations: Duplicate plates and lost plates

If your plate was lost or stolen, report it to the Louisiana State Police or your local police department and get a report number. Bring the police report to the OMV along with Form MV 40 to cancel the registration. This protects you from liability if someone uses the lost plate on another vehicle.

If you have a duplicate plate (two plates for the same vehicle), you can return one and keep the other active, or return both to cancel the registration entirely. Bring both plates and your registration card to the OMV or include both in your mail cancellation package.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my registration online?

No. Louisiana requires you to return the physical license plate to the OMV in person or by mail. You cannot cancel registration by phone, email, or through the OMV website. Form MV 40 and the plate itself must be submitted.

What if I lost my registration card?

Bring a photo ID and your license plate to the OMV office in person, or contact the OMV by phone at (225) 925-6000 to request a replacement registration card before you cancel. If canceling by mail, include a note explaining that your card was lost and provide your VIN and plate number so staff can locate your record.

How long does it take to get my refund?

If you cancel in person, the refund is calculated when ready and mailed to your address on file within two to three weeks. If you cancel by mail, add 5 to 10 business days for processing, then two to three weeks for the refund to arrive. Total time is usually three to four weeks.

Do I need to cancel if I'm moving out of Louisiana?

Yes. If you no longer live in Louisiana and no longer own a vehicle registered there, cancel the plate to stop paying registration fees. If you are moving and keeping the vehicle, you will need to register it in your new state instead — that new state's registration will replace your Louisiana registration.

What if someone else is listed on the registration with me?

Both owners should sign Form MV 40 if both names are on the registration. If only one owner is canceling, contact the OMV to ask whether both signatures are required or whether one owner can cancel on behalf of both. Bring photo IDs for anyone signing the form.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.