When and how to return your plates to New York
You return New York license plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when you no longer own the vehicle, move out of state, or stop using a vehicle permanently. The process is straightforward: you remove the plates, complete a form, and submit them to a DMV office or by mail. New York does not require you to return plates, but doing so can protect you from liability if the vehicle is involved in an accident after you no longer own it, and it may help you recover a refund on your registration fee if you have paid for a full year.
The specific steps and timeline depend on whether you are selling the vehicle, donating it, scrapping it, or moving. Each situation has different DMV forms and different timing rules. Understanding which path applies to you will save you a trip or a rejected submission.
Key Takeaways
- Returning plates protects you from liability after you sell or dispose of a vehicle, even though New York does not legally require it.
- You must complete form MV-82 (Notice of Intention to Abandon Vehicle) or form MV-83 (Notice of Sale or Transfer of Vehicle) depending on your situation, and submit it with your plates.
- You can return plates in person at any DMV office, by mail to the address on your registration, or through an authorized dealer if you are trading in a vehicle.
- If you paid registration fees for a full year and return plates before that year ends, you may receive a refund for the unused portion.
- Keeping plates after you no longer own the vehicle leaves you liable if someone else uses it or if it is involved in an accident.
Returning plates when you sell or transfer the vehicle
When you sell a vehicle to another person, you should complete form MV-83 (Notice of Sale or Transfer of Vehicle) and return the plates. This form notifies the DMV that you are no longer the owner, which removes your liability if the new owner gets a ticket, is in an accident, or violates traffic laws. You can submit the form and plates by mail or in person at a DMV office.
If you are selling to a dealer or trading in a vehicle, the dealer will usually handle the plate return and paperwork on your behalf. Ask the dealer to confirm they have submitted the MV-83 form before you leave the lot. If you are selling privately, you are responsible for submitting the form yourself. Mail the completed MV-83, both plates, and your registration card to the address listed on your registration. Keep a copy of the form for your records.
The DMV processes these submissions within two to four weeks. You do not need to wait for confirmation before the new owner registers the vehicle in their name, but submitting the form promptly protects you if there is a gap between the sale and their registration.
Returning plates when you scrap or abandon a vehicle
If you are scrapping a vehicle or abandoning it (leaving it permanently unused), complete form MV-82 (Notice of Intention to Abandon Vehicle) and return the plates. A scrap yard or junkyard will often handle this paperwork if you bring the vehicle to them, but confirm they will submit the form to the DMV before you hand over the keys.
If you are abandoning a vehicle on your own property or elsewhere, you must submit the MV-82 form yourself. This form tells the DMV that the vehicle is no longer in use and removes your registration liability. Mail the form, both plates, and your registration card to the DMV address on your registration, or bring them to a DMV office in person.
Returning plates when you move out of state
If you are moving to another state and registering your vehicle there, you should return your New York plates and cancel your New York registration. Complete form MV-83 and submit it with your plates to the DMV. This prevents New York from sending you renewal notices and removes your liability under New York law.
Some states allow you to keep your old plates as a souvenir, but New York requires them to be returned. Once you register in your new state, that state's plates become your legal registration. Returning the New York plates is not strictly required by law, but it is the cleanest way to end your registration and avoid confusion if you ever move back to New York.
Submitting plates by mail versus in person
You can return plates by mail or in person. By mail, send both plates, the completed form (MV-82 or MV-83), and your registration card to the address printed on your registration. Include a note with your name, address, and phone number. Mail typically takes one to two weeks to arrive, and the DMV processes it within two to four weeks after that.
In person, bring the plates, completed form, and registration card to any DMV office. You do not need an appointment for plate returns. Processing is when ready, and you will receive a receipt. If you are concerned about liability or need confirmation quickly, returning in person is faster and gives you a paper record on the spot.
If you are trading in a vehicle at a dealership, the dealer can submit the plates and paperwork for you. Confirm in writing that they have done so before you leave.
Refunds for unused registration fees
If you return your plates before your registration expires, you may receive a refund for the unused portion of your registration fee. The refund amount depends on how many months remain on your registration. For example, if you paid for a full year and return the plates after six months, you would receive a refund for approximately six months of fees.
To request a refund, include a note with your plate return submission stating that you are requesting a refund for unused registration. The DMV will process the refund and mail it to the address on your registration. Refunds typically arrive within four to eight weeks. You do not need to return the registration card to receive a refund, but including it with your submission speeds up processing.
What happens if you do not return plates
New York does not legally require you to return plates, but keeping them after you no longer own the vehicle creates liability risk. If the vehicle is involved in an accident, receives a traffic ticket, or is used in a crime after you sell it, the ticket or lawsuit may be sent to you because the plates are still registered in your name. You would then have to prove you no longer own the vehicle, which is time-consuming and stressful.
Returning the plates and submitting the appropriate form (MV-82 or MV-83) removes this risk by officially notifying the DMV that you are no longer the owner or operator. This is especially important if you sell a vehicle privately, because the new owner may not register it when ready, leaving a window where you are still liable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my New York plates as a souvenir?
No, New York requires all plates to be returned to the DMV. You cannot keep them even after you return the vehicle. Some states allow personalized or vintage plates to be kept, but New York's standard policy is to return all plates for reuse or recycling.
What if I lost one of my plates?
Return the plate you have and submit a statement explaining that the other plate is lost. Include this statement with your MV-82 or MV-83 form. The DMV will process the return with one plate and will not charge you a replacement fee for the lost plate if you are returning the vehicle.
Do I need to notify my insurance company when I return the plates?
Yes, contact your insurance company to cancel or transfer your policy once you have sold or disposed of the vehicle. Keeping an active policy on a vehicle you no longer own wastes money. Your insurer may also want confirmation that the plates have been returned to the DMV.
How long does it take to get a refund after I return my plates?
Refunds typically arrive four to eight weeks after the DMV processes your plate return. Processing itself takes two to four weeks. If you have not received a refund within ten weeks, contact the DMV with your submission receipt to check the status.
What if I sell my vehicle but the buyer does not register it right away?
Return your plates and submit form MV-83 when ready after the sale. This removes your liability even if the new owner has not yet registered the vehicle. The DMV will update its records to show you are no longer the owner, protecting you from tickets or accidents that occur during the gap between the sale and their registration.