How Do You Transfer Plates From One Car to Another?

License plate transfers allow motorists to move the license plate of an old vehicle and put it on a new car, truck, or SUV. Besides being an excellent way to keep a vanity plate or a plate number with sentimental value, transfers can also simplify a vehicle’s recordkeeping. For instance, keeping an existing plate can help save time and money when registering a new vehicle with the local DMV.

The rules surrounding plate transfers vary from state to state. Explore the steps motorists should follow, from verifying local laws to allowing plate transfers to completing a transfer procedure. 

Are Plate Transfers Legal in My Area?

In most states, the license plate follows the owner, meaning transferring it from an old vehicle to a new one is legal. For instance, after purchasing a car or SUV in Alabama, it’s legal for the owner to keep an existing license plate and install it on the new vehicle.

In some states, the plate stays with the vehicle when sold, transferring to the buyer. This policy means that sellers cannot keep their old plates. However, there are a few exceptions. 

For instance, California allows drivers to retain and reassign plates designated as Personalized or Special Interest, such as the black-and-yellow 1960s Legacy plate. Similar rules exist in Colorado, which does not permit transferring plates to a new vehicle unless they are personalized or the vehicle is registered as a horseless carriage. 

The best way to check the legality of license plate transfers is to visit the state DMV’s website or contact a local DMV office.

Why Transfer Plates?

Drivers who live in states where the license plate follows the owner instead of the vehicle can transfer an existing vehicle’s plates to a new one. It can be beneficial in many situations:

• Potential cost savings. A plate transfer procedure is often cheaper than obtaining brand-new plates and registration documents. For instance, plate transfer fees in Illinois are $25, whereas obtaining a new registration and plates costs $151.

• Preserving personalized or custom plates. A plate transfer lets a motorist keep a vanity or customized plate, a historically significant number, or a standard plate for sentimental reasons. 

• Convenience factor. Transferring a plate may be faster and easier than obtaining new ones, especially if the process can be completed online.

Potential Drawbacks to Plate Transfers

While a plate transfer can be beneficial, there are potential drawbacks. Motorists considering transferring plates instead of getting new ones for a new vehicle should carefully weigh these factors: 

• Existing vehicle required. To transfer plates from one car to the next, a driver must own both vehicles. This may be more difficult if the old vehicle has already been sold or traded.

• Not road-legal. The old vehicle will no longer be legally drivable on public roads without valid license plates. If the previous owner still intends to drive it or sell it to someone else, it will need new plates, potentially negating the cost savings of a transfer.

• Vehicle history concerns. Even if plate transfers are allowed, transferring a plate from one vehicle to the next can introduce issues with vehicle records. For example, a vehicle history report often includes the VIN and the original license plate.
  
  A plate transfer can potentially cause discrepancies, such as a plate number overlapping two different vehicles. Critical information from the original vehicle, like accident reports or maintenance history, can be mistakenly linked to the new one. To prevent these risks, the vehicle owner must submit corrections to the vehicle history report companies.

Transferring a License Plate, Step-by-Step

Vehicle owners looking to transfer a license plate from one vehicle to another must follow steps that vary slightly based on their state of residence. For jurisdictions where transfers are permitted, the typical procedure is as follows:

• Visit the DMV. Vehicle owners may visit a local DMV office or equivalent agency and ask about the procedure’s specifics in their state. In some states, the entire procedure can be completed online. For instance, Wisconsin offers an online license plate transfer service on the WI Department of Transportation website.

• Bring the required documents. Most state DMVs require the motorist to show valid identification, such as a state ID or a driver’s license, and documentation for both vehicles. Commonly needed documents include the new vehicle’s title, the old vehicle’s registration, and a valid transfer form.
  
  In New York, for example, motorists who want to transfer a plate to a new vehicle after selling an old one must submit the following documents: the original title, a valid New York State ID and driver’s license, and two completed forms: MV-82 and DTF-802. 

• Meet the conditions. Some states impose conditions to perform a license plate transfer. For example, in New Jersey, the new vehicle must be the same type as the old one (car to car, truck to truck), and the name on both vehicles’ registration must be the same.
  
  In Michigan, a vehicle seller can only transfer the license plate if the buyer is an immediate family member, such as a spouse or sibling. It does not allow plate transfers to other individuals.

• Pay the fees. Most DMV offices charge fees for the transfer process. In New Jersey, the transfer fee is $4.50. If the new vehicle is in a weight class different from the old one, the applicant must also pay the difference in registration fees between the two classes.

Safely Transfer Plates From One Vehicle to the Next

After purchasing a new or used vehicle from a dealership or a private seller, vehicle owners must determine whether transferring an existing car’s plate to the new one is worth the effort. 

After completing a plate transfer, it’s good practice to verify the DMV records and vehicle history reports for both vehicles and verify each one is accurate. If there are any discrepancies, vehicle history report providers typically offer correction services free of charge or a contact form through which vehicle owners can signal errors.

Author: Corentin Bernard

Corentin’s passion for the automotive world started when he was just seven years old, during a life-changing visit to an auto museum. Now a seasoned writer, Corentin channels that early fascination into every piece he writes, whether he’s exploring the latest car trends or automotive history. But his expertise doesn’t end there—he also brings his insights to topics like home improvement, the boating and yachting industry, personal finance tips, and cutting-edge tech.

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