How Do I Surrender License Plates Due to an Expired Registration?

Surrender your license plate to the DMV.

If you've allowed your car registration to expire, you may need to surender your license plates to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. You are never supposed to drive an unregistered car and removing the plates is one way to stop you from driving the car. Laws regarding the surrender of your plates vary greatly from state to state, so you must learn what the rules in your state are.

Instructions

1. Contact your state's DMV to learn the process for your state. Your state may not require you to surrender your plates if you plan on re-registering the car. If it does, you can learn the specifics about how to do it.

2. Surrender your plates in person or through the mail. Some states require you to deliver your license plates to the DMV in person. Others allow you to mail the plates to the nearest local office. Many allow you to choose the method that's more convenient for you.

3. Pay the processing fee. Your state may charge you a nominal fee for surrendering your plates. For example, New York charges $1. You must pay this fee whether you surrender the plates in person or through the mail.

References

• New York State Department of Motor Vehicles: How to Surrender Vehicle Plates and Registration Items

Resources

• DMV: State Information