Every state has its own laws for what you should do with your license plates if you sell your vehicle or cancel your auto insurance policy. In some states, you are allowed to keep personalized and vanity plates, but you must turn in regular license plates. In others, you can surrender your license plates or destroy them. It is important to ensure that you understand your state’s laws when permanently removing a license plate from your vehicle.

In Nevada, if you sell your vehicle, you can either use your plates on another vehicle or surrender them to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Depending on the type of plate you have, you have 30 or 60 days to take care of them. After you cancel your registration, you are allowed to keep personalized or vanity plates as keepsakes.

Reasons to Surrender Your Plates

There are several reasons that you may have to cancel your registration and turn in your license plates:

♦ You have dropped state-minimum liability coverage. To ensure that you do not get in trouble for having an uninsured vehicle, it is recommended that you surrender your license plates before cancelling your auto insurance policy

♦ You have sold your vehicle and do not intend to use your license plates on another vehicle

♦ Your vehicle will be in storage or undrivable for a long period of time and you do not want to maintain liability auto insurance on it

How to Surrender Your Plates

If you will not be putting your license plates on another vehicle, you have two options for surrendering your plates to the DMV.

1). You can mail the plates, along with the decal and a signed letter requesting that your registration be canceled, to the DMV. You should make sure that you provide contact information and your correct mailing address in case follow-up is needed.

The DMV’s address is:

Department of Motor Vehicles

Central Services Division
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711-0700

2). Alternately, you can visit your nearest DMV office to submit your plates in person. You do not need an appointment.

What Happens After You Surrender Your Plates?

If you cancel your vehicle’s registration prior to the expiration date, then you can get a credit for the unused portion of the current registration fees. This credit can be used toward registering a new vehicle. In certain instances, you may be entitled to a refund.

It is important to note that if you expect to receive a credit or refund for your canceled registration, you have to surrender your plates and cancel your registration in person at the DMV.

Renewing Your Auto Insurance with Nevada Insurance Enrollment

If you cancelled your auto insurance policy because its monthly payments were higher than you can afford, Nevada Insurance Enrollment can help. Our auto insurance agents can help you find the right policy for your needs with monthly premiums that will not break the bank.