How Should I Dispose of Old License Plates?

[Feralpeg]

My daughter recently got a new car. They put a new plate on her car. A week later, we received the plate from her trade in in the mail from the dealership.

I renewed my tags in February. Instead of just sending me the sticker, per usual, they sent me a whole new plate with the new sticker already on it. I guess they replace the plates every ten years.

Now, I have two old plates that I need to get rid of and I'm not sure of the procedure. I don't think I should just throw them in the trash. Is there a procedure for getting rid of these things?

Thanks!

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

I've always turned them into the state DMV.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My dh has all his old ones hanging on the garage wall.

I would probably just turn them into the DMV.

 

[PeterPanic]

I've always turned them into the state DMV.

My dh has all his old ones hanging on the garage wall.

I would probably just turn them into the DMV.

All of the above! Usually the DMV will request that the old plates be returned, in this case it sounds like a clerical error perhaps. I never saved any of mine, except the Vermont ones that were on my car when I moved to North Carolina. They haven't found a permanent home yet, but they reside in the trunk of my car waiting for the proper location.

 

[Kimberlyann11]

My dh has all his old ones hanging on the garage wall.

I would probably just turn them into the DMV.

Nail it to the wall!! That was going to be my suggestion.

 

[Denise W]

Massachusetts now tells you to cut them up and throw them away. We don't have to turn them in to the DMV any more.

Denise

 

[Feralpeg]

Thanks, everyone. I guess I'll try taking them to the DMV. Cutting them up doesn't sound easy! lol. Or, I guess I could try to make an art project! Ha!

 

[bballmom56]

In NJ, we are required to turn them in to DMV. Not sure what happens if you don't.

They didn't remove the plates from your DD's car and handed them back to her at the time she traded it in? We have always had them removed while at the dealership when we have signed the trade over to them.

 

[shoney]

In NJ, we are required to turn them in to DMV. Not sure what happens if you don't.

They didn't remove the plates from your DD's car and handed them back to her at the time she traded it in? We have always had them removed while at the dealership when we have signed the trade over to them.

New York is the same way.

You have to return them to DMV in order to remove the car off of your insurance policy. The ins company needs the receipt number to do so.

 

[iluvallthingsdisney]

This website should help you. You need to turn them in.

http://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/plate-surrender.php

You can either surrender the plates in person, at any Florida county tax collector’s office, or by mailing the plates, registration certificate, and a cancellation letter to:
Division of Motorist Services
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Mail Stop 98
Tallahassee, FL 32399

 

[Feralpeg]

In NJ, we are required to turn them in to DMV. Not sure what happens if you don't.

They didn't remove the plates from your DD's car and handed them back to her at the time she traded it in? We have always had them removed while at the dealership when we have signed the trade over to them.

No. They mailed them to us about a week later. Very strange. When I got my new car, they put my old plates on my new car and just gave me a new sticker. This is all done through the dealership. They give you a new registration at that time as well.

I will turn them in at the DMV. Thank you all for your help.

 

[tvguy]

No. They mailed them to us about a week later. Very strange. When I got my new car, they put my old plates on my new car and just gave me a new sticker. This is all done through the dealership. They give you a new registration at that time as well.

I will turn them in at the DMV. Thank you all for your help.

You need to check with your states DMV.
In California, the plates belong to the car, not the owner, so they would have stayed on the old car. Only exception is personalized (vanity) plates which belong to you, not the car.
California stopped changing license plates in 1963, so if you have a 1963 car with it's original plates, as long as it has a current registration sticker, it is still good. You can buy replacement plates (with a new license number) if your plates are damaged or stolen.

 

[disney1990]

I've always turned them into the state DMV.

This is what we are required to do.

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

In Florida, the plates follow the owner so what the dealer did makes sense. It's a little different, but Florida does lots of things a little differently.

ETA: When we registered our vehicles here, the DMV agent told us we could throw the out of state ones away, recycle them, or they'd take them.

 

[Fire14]

In Florida, the plates follow the owner so what the dealer did makes sense. It's a little different, but Florida does lots of things a little differently.

ETA: When we registered our vehicles here, the DMV agent told us we could throw the out of state ones away, recycle them, or they'd take them.

This is only way I'd ever known until DH told me in Texas plates follow car.

 

[Maridw]

When we first moved to FL, every 5 years we would get a new plate. My DH has had his personalized plate now for more than 5 years.

I have moved my TinkLvr from my Rav to my Volvo to my new Rav and have had it longer than 5 years.

Two of our previous plates are hanging on the wall of a local hot dog place.

You can drop them a local Tax Collector's office.

 

[Disneyhabs]

My daughter recently got a new car. They put a new plate on her car. A week later, we received the plate from her trade in in the mail from the dealership.

I renewed my tags in February. Instead of just sending me the sticker, per usual, they sent me a whole new plate with the new sticker already on it. I guess they replace the plates every ten years.

Now, I have two old plates that I need to get rid of and I'm not sure of the procedure. I don't think I should just throw them in the trash. Is there a procedure for getting rid of these things?

Thanks!

Same as a dead body cut it up put it in a bag with bricks and throw it in the river