You cannot throw old license plates in the trash — most states require you to return them or destroy them in a specific way

License plates are state property, even after you stop using them. Throwing them away in household garbage is illegal in most states and can result in a fine. The rules vary by state, but the safest approach is to return them to your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or an authorized agent, or to destroy them in a way the state recognizes.

What you do depends on why you no longer need the plates. If you sold or traded in a vehicle, the buyer usually handles the plates. If you kept the vehicle but got new plates, or if the vehicle is no longer registered, you need to take action yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Most states require you to return old license plates to the DMV or surrender them when you renew your registration, rather than dispose of them yourself.
  • If you sold your vehicle, the new owner is responsible for the plates in most states, so contact your DMV to confirm the transfer is complete.
  • Some states allow you to destroy plates yourself by cutting or defacing them, but you must follow your state's specific method to avoid legal trouble.
  • Metal recycling centers do not accept license plates because they are state property, even though they are made of metal.
  • Keeping old plates without a valid reason can be illegal in some states, so check your state's rules if you want to keep them as memorabilia.

Return plates to your DMV during registration renewal

The easiest and most common way to handle old plates is to turn them in when you renew your vehicle registration. When you renew online, by mail, or in person at your DMV office, you can include a note asking the DMV to pick up the old plates, or you can bring them in yourself if you are renewing in person.

Some states make this automatic — they send you a prepaid envelope or label so you can mail the plates back. Check your state's DMV website or call your local office to ask whether they want you to return plates with your renewal paperwork. If you are renewing by mail, include the plates in the same envelope if the state allows it.

Destroy plates yourself if your state permits it

Several states allow you to destroy old plates on your own, but the method matters. Most states that permit this require you to cut or drill through the plate in a way that makes it unreadable and unusable. You typically need to destroy both the front and back, and some states specify that you must remove or deface the numbers and state name.

Before you destroy a plate, check your state's DMV website or call to confirm the exact method allowed. Some states require you to file a form or send proof that you destroyed the plate. Others straightforward require that you do not keep it. Destroying a plate without permission in a state that forbids it can result in a fine, so verify the rules first.

What to do if you sold the vehicle

When you sell a vehicle, the responsibility for the plates shifts. In most states, you are required to remove the plates and either return them to the DMV or keep them if you own another vehicle and want to transfer them. The new owner will register the vehicle in their name and get new plates.

Contact your DMV to confirm that the title transfer is complete and that the old registration has been cancelled. This protects you from liability if the new owner gets a ticket or is involved in an accident while the plates are still registered to you. Once the transfer is official, you can return the plates or destroy them according to your state's rules.

Keeping old plates as memorabilia

Some people want to keep old plates as souvenirs or collectibles. Whether this is legal depends on your state. Many states allow you to keep one or two retired plates if they are no longer registered to a vehicle, but you cannot display them on a car or use them for any purpose. Other states prohibit keeping plates at all.

If you want to keep a plate, contact your DMV and ask whether it is permitted. Some states require you to file a form or get written permission. If you keep a plate without permission and are caught, you could face a fine. The safest approach is to ask first rather than assume it is allowed.

Why you cannot recycle plates at a metal recycling center

License plates are made of aluminum or steel, so it might seem logical to take them to a metal recycling center. However, most recycling centers will not accept them because plates are state property and contain identifying information. Recycling centers are required to refuse them to prevent fraud and theft.

Even if a recycling center accepted them, you would still be breaking the law by giving them away without going through your DMV first. The only legal way to dispose of a plate is to return it to the state or destroy it according to your state's rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I just throw old plates in the trash?

Throwing plates in the trash is illegal in most states and can result in a fine if discovered. More importantly, someone could find them and use them fraudulently. Always return them to your DMV or destroy them according to your state's method.

Can I give old plates to someone else?

No. License plates are state property and cannot be transferred to another person without going through the DMV. Even if you want to give them away, you must return them to the state first or destroy them yourself if your state allows it.

Do I need to return plates if I move to a different state?

Yes. When you move and register your vehicle in the new state, you should return the old state's plates to that state's DMV. Contact the DMV in your old state to ask how to return them by mail if you no longer live there.

What if I lost my old plates?

If you lost plates before you could return them, contact your DMV and report them missing. The DMV will note this in their records. You are not typically fined for lost plates if you report them, but you should do so promptly to protect yourself from liability.

Can I keep a vanity plate I paid extra for?

Some states allow you to keep a retired vanity plate if you request it in writing and it is no longer registered to a vehicle. Contact your DMV to ask whether this is permitted and what form you need to file. You may be able to keep it as a keepsake, but you cannot use it on another vehicle.