Where to take your old license plates

Most states let you turn in old license plates at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office or a branch location. Some states also accept plates at county tax collector offices, sheriff's departments, or authorized vehicle registration agents. Call ahead or check your state's DMV website to confirm which locations near you take plates back — not every office handles this, and hours vary.

A few states run mail-in programs where you can send plates directly to the DMV. This works if you live far from an office or prefer not to visit in person. Your state's registration renewal notice usually includes instructions if mail-in return is an option.

Private recycling centers and scrap metal facilities sometimes accept license plates, but the DMV is the most straightforward route because staff can verify the plate is no longer in use and properly deactivate it in the system.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state's DMV office is the primary place to return old license plates, though some states also accept them at county tax collector offices or sheriff's departments.
  • You do not have to return plates when you renew your registration, but doing so prevents someone from using an old plate number linked to your vehicle.
  • Some states offer mail-in return programs, which you can request through your DMV or find listed on your registration renewal paperwork.
  • Plates are recycled as scrap aluminum, and the DMV handles deactivation in the system so the plate cannot be misused.

Why you should return old plates instead of keeping them

Returning plates removes them from circulation and prevents misuse. If someone finds or steals an old plate with your vehicle identification number (VIN) on it, they could use it on another car to commit fraud, evade tolls, or avoid traffic enforcement. Once you turn a plate in to the DMV, it is deactivated in the state system and cannot be registered to any vehicle.

Keeping plates as souvenirs or decorations is legal in most states, but only if they are clearly marked as no longer valid — some people drill holes through them or deface them to show they are not in use. If you want to keep a plate for sentimental reasons, ask the DMV staff whether your state allows this and what marking is required.

What happens to plates after you return them

License plates are made mostly of aluminum, which is valuable as scrap metal. The DMV sends returned plates to recycling facilities where they are melted down and reused in new products — everything from beverage cans to automotive parts. The reflective coating and any personal information are removed during the recycling process.

Before plates reach the recycler, the DMV removes them from the registration system. This deactivation happens whether you return the plate or not when you renew, but returning it ensures the physical plate cannot be misused while it is still in the world.

Returning plates when you sell or trade in your vehicle

When you sell a car, you can keep the plates and transfer them to your next vehicle, or you can return them to the DMV and get new ones. The choice depends on your state's rules and whether you want to keep the same number. Check your state's DMV website or ask at the time of sale whether the buyer expects you to remove the plates or leave them on.

If you trade in a vehicle at a dealership, the dealer usually handles plate removal and return. Confirm this before you leave — some dealers return plates to the DMV automatically, while others expect you to do it yourself. If you are unsure, contact your state DMV to verify the plate has been deactivated after the sale.

Returning personalized or specialty plates

Vanity plates, military plates, professional organization plates, and other specialty plates follow the same return process as standard plates. Take them to your DMV office along with your vehicle registration or ID. If you paid extra for a personalized plate and want to keep the same number on your next vehicle, ask the DMV whether you can transfer it instead of returning it.

Some states allow you to reserve a personalized plate number for a fee so you can use it again later. This is separate from the return process — you would return the physical plate but keep the number on hold. Ask about this option when you visit the DMV if you are attached to a specific plate.

What to bring when you return plates

Bring the plates themselves and a form of identification — usually your driver's license. Some DMV offices ask for your vehicle registration or a document showing the plate number, but this varies by state. Call ahead to confirm what your local office needs so you do not make an extra trip.

If you are returning plates for a vehicle you no longer own, bring proof of the sale or transfer if the DMV asks for it. In most cases, staff will straightforward take the plates and process them without requiring documentation, but having it on hand speeds things up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to return my license plates when I renew my registration?

No, returning plates is optional in most states. However, you should return them if you are not transferring them to another vehicle, because an old plate with your information could be misused. When you renew online or by mail, you typically keep your plates unless your state requires new ones.

Can I recycle license plates at a regular recycling center?

Some scrap metal and recycling facilities accept plates, but the DMV is the safest choice because staff deactivate the plate in the registration system. If you use a private recycler, contact your DMV separately to report the plate as no longer in use so it cannot be registered to another vehicle.

What if I lost my old license plates?

Contact your DMV to report the plates as lost. Staff can deactivate them in the system to prevent misuse. You may be asked to file a report or sign a form confirming they are gone. This protects you if someone finds them and tries to use them.

Can I keep my old plates as a souvenir?

Many states allow you to keep plates as long as they are clearly marked as no longer valid — usually by drilling holes through them or defacing them. Check your state's DMV website or ask staff whether this is permitted and what marking is required before you take a plate home.

Do I get money for recycling my license plates?

No, the DMV does not pay for returned plates. The aluminum value goes to the recycling facility, not to you. Returning plates is a free service to deactivate them and prevent misuse.