How To Surrender Your License Plates in New York

Are you looking to get rid of an old car or get new license plates? What will you do with your old New York license plates? When registering a car in a new state or your insurance coverage expires in New York, you must surrender your plates.

What Should You Do With Your License Plates

Suppose you want to cancel your vehicle's liability insurance or register it in another state. In that case, you must surrender your license plates to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. If you're replacing your license plates with custom plates, personalized plates, or a new style, you should recycle your old plates at a local scrap metal collection site. Use a permanent ink marker to cross out the plate number or otherwise deface the license plate to prevent fraudulent use.

Why Should You Surrender Your License Plates

For every day that you keep your New York State license plates and do not have insurance coverage on them, you will be fined $8 per day for the first 30 days by the DMV. After that, the fine increases to $10 per day from 31 to 60 days and then to $12 per day from 61 to 90 days. If you do not want to pay the fee, you must surrender the plates and your driver's license for the same number of days that you held onto the plates without any liability coverage from your insurance company. The New York State DMV will suspend your registration and driver's license if you do not return your plates. It's always a good idea to double-check that you've turned in the plates before you remove the insurance, or you might find out months later that the DMV has fined you and suspended your license or registration. You must also surrender your New York State vehicle plates to the New York DMV if you want to register your vehicle in another state.

Steps In Surrendering Your New York License Plate

Step 1: Remove Tags and Stickers

The plate frames and fasteners are included in this. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles will not accept plates with them attached. Remove your car's registration and inspection stickers from the windshield as well. Remember not to give your plates to anyone unless they are willing to return them to you.

Step 2: PD-7 Application

You must complete the Plate Surrender Application (PD-7) form for each set of plates you are surrendering.

Step 3: Mail It

Mail the application with your plates to: NYS DMV 6 Empire State Plaza Room B240 Albany, NY 12228

FAQs On License Plate Return Process in New York

What is the procedure for returning license plates to the DMV?

Bring your license plate(s) and decal to any DMV office and hand them over to a technician inside. If the dropbox isn't specifically marked for license plates, don't put them in there. There is no need to make an appointment. You can cancel the registration and keep the personalized or specialty plates as a keepsake.

What is the location where I can return my New York license plates?

When you are not going to use your New York State vehicle plates, you must return them to the DMV. Before your auto liability insurance coverage expires, you must surrender the vehicle plates to the DMV. Instructions for surrendering your vehicle plates can be found on the DMV website.

In New York, do you have to surrender both license plates?

Before your New York State liability insurance is canceled, you must surrender your vehicle registration and plates to the DMV. You can get insurance in another state if you register your vehicle in another state and surrender your New York vehicle plates to the New York DMV.

In New York, how long do you have to surrender your plates?

If you can't afford to pay the fine, you have 90 days to surrender your license plates and registration.

Is it necessary to have both license plates in New York?

New York requires that all vehicles have two license plates, one on the front and one on the back. Except for motorcycles, which only require one in the back, this rule applies to all types of street vehicles.

In New York, how do I surrender my TLC plates?

To begin, you must turn in your TLC license plates to the DMV. Sections 1 and 2 of the Vehicle License Storage Form must be completed. Please fill out the TLC FHV storage form and email it to FHVStorage@tlc.nyc.gov.