When and how to return your Maryland license plates

You return Maryland license plates to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) when you no longer own the vehicle, move out of state, or stop using a vehicle permanently. The process is straightforward: you can mail the plates to the MVA, drop them at any MVA office, or surrender them when you sell or transfer the vehicle to someone else. Maryland does not require you to return plates before cancelling your registration, but doing so protects you from liability if the plates are misused after you no longer own the car.

The timing matters. If you sell your vehicle to a private buyer, you should remove the plates before handing over the keys. If you trade in or sell to a dealer, they typically handle plate removal. If you're moving out of state or scrapping the vehicle, return the plates within a reasonable timeframe to avoid confusion with your registration records.

Key Takeaways

  • You can return Maryland plates by mail, at any MVA office, or by giving them to the buyer when you sell the vehicle.
  • Returning plates is not required to cancel registration, but it prevents someone else from using your plates after you sell the car.
  • If you mail plates, send both the front and rear plates in a padded envelope to the MVA address listed on the registration document.
  • When you sell a vehicle privately, remove the plates yourself before the buyer takes possession.
  • Dealers and auction houses typically remove and handle plates when you trade in or sell to them.

Mailing plates to the MVA

The most common way to return plates is by mail. Remove both the front and rear plates from your vehicle and place them in a padded or bubble-lined envelope. Write your name, vehicle identification number (VIN), and current registration number on a piece of paper and include it with the plates so the MVA can match them to your account.

Address the envelope to the Motor Vehicle Administration, 6601 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21061. The MVA does not charge a fee for this service. Mail typically takes one to two weeks to arrive, so if you need confirmation of return, consider using tracked mail or requesting a receipt at the post office.

Returning plates in person at an MVA office

You can walk into any Maryland MVA office and hand over your plates without an appointment. Bring your vehicle registration document or a photo ID so staff can record which plates you're returning. The MVA will give you a receipt showing the plates were surrendered, which protects you if questions arise later about the vehicle or plates.

MVA offices are located throughout Maryland in most counties. You can find the nearest office and its hours on the MVA website. Processing is when ready when you return plates in person, so your registration records are updated the same day.

What happens when you sell the vehicle privately

If you sell your car to a private buyer, remove both plates before the buyer takes the vehicle. The buyer may use the plates temporarily while they register the car in their name, or they may provide their own plates. Either way, the plates stay with you unless you agree otherwise in writing.

After removing the plates, you can mail them to the MVA or drop them at an office. You should also notify the MVA that you no longer own the vehicle by submitting a Notice of Sale form (Form VR-014), which you can file online, by mail, or in person. This separates your liability from the vehicle once ownership transfers.

Returning plates when trading in or selling to a dealer

When you trade in a vehicle or sell it to a dealership or auction house, the dealer removes the plates as part of the transaction. You do not need to remove them yourself. The dealer handles returning the plates to the MVA and updating registration records.

Before you leave the lot, ask the dealer to confirm they will handle plate return. Keep your copy of the bill of sale or trade-in agreement as proof that you transferred ownership. This document protects you if the plates are ever misused after the sale.

Protecting yourself after you sell or dispose of the vehicle

Returning plates is one step in separating yourself from a vehicle you no longer own. The other step is filing a Notice of Sale with the MVA. This form tells the state that you are no longer the registered owner and removes your liability for traffic violations, parking tickets, or accidents involving the vehicle after the sale date.

You have up to 10 days after the sale to file the Notice of Sale. You can submit it online through the MVA website, by mail, or in person at any MVA office. If you do not file it and the new owner commits a violation, you may receive a ticket or citation in your name. Returning the plates and filing the notice together create a clear record that the vehicle left your possession.

What to do if you cannot locate your plates

If your plates are lost, stolen, or damaged beyond use, you do not need to return them. Instead, report the loss or theft to the MVA and request replacement plates if you still own the vehicle. If you no longer own the vehicle, straightforward notify the MVA that the plates are missing when you file your Notice of Sale.

Contact the MVA by phone at 410-787-7758 or visit an office in person to report missing plates. Have your registration number and VIN ready. The MVA will update your record and close out the old plates so they cannot be used by someone else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to return my plates before I can cancel my registration?

No. You can cancel your registration without returning the plates. However, returning them protects you because it creates a record that you surrendered them. If the plates are used after you sell the vehicle, you want documentation showing you no longer had them.

What if I sell my car and the buyer never registers it in their name?

File a Notice of Sale with the MVA within 10 days of the sale. This removes your liability even if the buyer does not register the vehicle. If the buyer uses your plates to commit a violation, the Notice of Sale proves you transferred ownership and are not responsible.

Can I keep my Maryland plates if I move out of state?

No. Maryland plates are only valid for vehicles registered in Maryland. If you move out of state, you must register your vehicle in your new state and return the Maryland plates to the MVA. You can mail them or drop them at an office before you leave.

Is there a fee to return license plates?

No. The MVA does not charge a fee to accept returned plates by mail or in person. If you mail them, you only pay for postage.

What if the plates are damaged or bent?

You can still return damaged plates to the MVA by mail or in person. Wrap them carefully to prevent further damage during shipping. The MVA will accept them and destroy them properly.