Where to turn in or recycle your old plate

When you replace a license plate, you have three main options: return it to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, recycle it through a scrap metal program, or keep it if your state allows it. Most states require you to return plates when you renew, replace, or surrender your registration. The fastest route is usually your local DMV office, where staff can process the return in minutes.

If you cannot visit in person, many states accept plates by mail. Check your state DMV website for the mailing address and any forms required. Some states include a prepaid return envelope with your new registration documents. A few states, including California and Texas, let you keep old plates as long as they are no longer in use on any vehicle.

Key Takeaways

  • Most states require you to return old plates to the DMV when you get new ones, though a few allow you to keep them as souvenirs.
  • You can drop plates off at your local DMV office, mail them to the address on your state's website, or take them to a scrap metal recycler.
  • Scrap metal recyclers accept plates for free and handle the recycling process, which is useful if you have multiple old plates.
  • Do not throw plates in household trash or curbside recycling, as they contain materials that need special handling.
  • If a plate is damaged or illegible, bring it with you or note the issue when you mail it so the DMV can process it correctly.

Returning plates at your DMV office

Walk into your local DMV with the old plate and your vehicle registration or ID. You do not need an appointment in most places, though some states now require one. Tell the staff member you are returning a plate. They will scan or record the plate number, confirm it matches your records, and give you a receipt. The whole process takes five to ten minutes.

Bring both the front and rear plates if you have them. Some states only require the rear plate, but handing in both avoids confusion. If the plate is bent, faded, or damaged, bring it anyway — the DMV will handle it. Keep your receipt in case you need proof later that you returned the plate, especially if you are selling the vehicle.

Mailing old plates to the DMV

Check your state's DMV website for the mailing address and any required forms. Some states ask you to fill out a straightforward return form with the plate number and your name. Others require nothing but the plate itself. Package the plate in a padded envelope or small box so it does not bend in transit.

Mail it to the address listed on the DMV site, not to a general state office. Delivery usually takes one to two weeks. You will not receive a receipt, so consider taking a photo of the plate before you mail it, along with a photo of the addressed envelope. This creates a record in case the DMV later claims it never arrived.

Recycling plates at a scrap metal facility

Scrap metal recyclers accept license plates for free and handle the recycling process. Find a recycler near you by searching "scrap metal recycling" plus your city name, or check Earth911.com, which lists recyclers by material type and location. Call ahead to confirm they take license plates — most do, but some have restrictions.

Bring the plates to the facility during business hours. You do not need to remove any stickers or fasteners. The recycler will weigh the plates and process them. You will not get paid — aluminum and steel from plates have low scrap value — but you will have disposed of them responsibly. This is a good option if you have several old plates or live far from a DMV office.

Keeping a plate as a souvenir

Some states allow you to keep old plates once they are no longer registered to any vehicle. California, Texas, and a handful of others have no rule against it. Check your state DMV website to see if keeping plates is permitted. If it is, you can display them as decoration or store them without returning them.

If you are unsure whether your state allows it, contact the DMV directly. The safest approach is to return the plate when you replace it — that way you avoid any question later. If you do keep a plate, make sure it is no longer in use on any vehicle, because using an old plate on the road is illegal and can result in a traffic stop.

What not to do with old plates

Do not throw license plates in household trash or curbside recycling bins. Plates contain aluminum and steel that need to be processed separately from regular recycling. Curbside programs are not equipped to handle them, and they can damage sorting equipment at recycling facilities.

Do not sell or give away a plate that is still registered to a vehicle. If someone uses your old plate on another car, you can be held liable for traffic violations, parking tickets, or accidents involving that plate. Once you replace a plate, it should go to the DMV or a recycler, not to another person.

Plates from vehicles you no longer own

If you kept plates from a car you sold years ago, you can still return them to the DMV. Bring them in with your ID. The DMV will look up the plate number in their system and confirm it is no longer active. You do not need the original registration or proof of ownership — the plate being inactive is enough.

If you have multiple old plates from different vehicles, you can return them all at once. Some people collect vintage plates and want to keep them; if your state allows it, you can ask the DMV which plates you can legally keep and which must be returned. This is especially useful if you have plates from vehicles registered decades ago.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my old license plate as a souvenir?

It depends on your state. California, Texas, and a few others allow you to keep old plates once they are no longer registered to any vehicle. Most states require you to return them to the DMV. Check your state DMV website or call to find out the rule where you live.

What if I lost my old license plate?

You do not need to find it. When you get a new plate, the old one is automatically deactivated in the system. If the DMV asks about it during renewal, explain that it was lost. You will not be charged or penalized — lost plates are common and the DMV handles them routinely.

Do I get money for turning in old plates?

No. The DMV does not pay for returned plates, and scrap metal recyclers do not pay for license plates because the metal value is very low. Returning or recycling a plate is a free service.

Can I use an old plate on a different vehicle?

No. Once a plate is deactivated, it cannot be used on any vehicle. Using an old plate on the road is illegal and can result in a traffic stop and citation. Always get a new plate when you register a different vehicle.

What happens if I never return my old plate?

Nothing usually happens if the plate is no longer registered to any vehicle. However, some states track unreturned plates and may flag your account if you try to renew registration. To avoid any issue, return the plate to the DMV or a recycler when you replace it.