When you sell your car, you may be wondering what to do with the license plates. It’s important to dispose of them properly to avoid legal issues and protect your personal information. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about plate parting and how to dispose of your license plates safely and legally.
What is Plate Parting?
Plate parting is the process of removing and disposing of license plates when you sell or transfer ownership of a vehicle. This is important because license plates are tied to the registered owner of the vehicle, and can be used for fraudulent purposes if not disposed of properly. In some states, it is required by law to remove and surrender the license plates when you sell your car.
Why is Proper Disposal Important?
Improper disposal of license plates can lead to legal issues and identity theft. If your old license plates are used in a crime, you could be held liable. Additionally, license plates contain personal information such as your name, address, and registration number, which can be used to steal your identity. Proper disposal ensures that your personal information is safe and that you are not held liable for any criminal activity involving your old license plates.
How to Properly Dispose of License Plates
The process of disposing of license plates varies by state, but there are some general guidelines you can follow to ensure proper disposal.
-
Remove the license plates from your vehicle. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the plates in place.
-
If your state requires it, surrender the license plates to the DMV. This is usually done in person at a DMV office or through the mail.
-
If your state does not require surrender, destroy the license plates. This can be done by bending or cutting the plates to make them unusable.
-
Dispose of the plates in the trash. Make sure to remove any stickers or registration tags from the plates before disposing of them.
What to do if You’ve Lost Your License Plates
If you’ve lost your license plates, you should report it to the DMV immediately. This will prevent anyone from using the plates for fraudulent purposes. Depending on the state, you may need to obtain replacement plates or surrender the vehicle’s registration.
What to do if You’ve Sold Your Car Out of State
If you’ve sold your car out of state, you should check the laws in the state where the car is registered to determine the proper process for plate parting. Some states require the seller to surrender the license plates, while others do not.
What to do if You’ve Sold Your Car to a Private Party
If you’ve sold your car to a private party, you should remove the license plates from the vehicle and either surrender them to the DMV or destroy them. It’s important to provide the buyer with a bill of sale and a release of liability form, which will protect you from any legal issues related to the vehicle after the sale.
Plate Parting and Leased Vehicles
If you are returning a leased vehicle, you should follow the instructions provided by the leasing company for plate parting. In most cases, you will need to remove the license plates and return them to the leasing company.
Selling a Car for Parts
If you are selling a car for parts, you should still remove the license plates and either surrender them to the DMV or destroy them. This is important to protect yourself from any legal issues related to the vehicle after the sale.
Conclusion
Proper plate parting is an important step in the process of selling a car. By removing and disposing of your license plates properly, you can avoid legal issues and protect your personal information. Remember to check the laws in your state and follow the proper process for plate parting.
FAQs
Is it required by law to remove license plates when selling a car?
- In many states, it is required by law to remove license plates when selling a car. Check the laws in your state to determine the proper process for plate parting.
Can I keep my license plates when selling a car?
- In some states, you may be able to keep your license plates when selling a car. Check the laws in your state to determine the proper process for plate parting.
What should I do with my license plates if I’m moving out of state?
- If you’re moving out of state, you should check the laws in the state where you’re moving to determine the proper process for plate parting.
Can I sell a car without license plates?
- In some states, you may be able to sell a car without license plates. However, it’s important to check the laws in your state to determine the proper process for plate parting.
What information is on a license plate?
- License plates typically contain the registration number, state of registration, and expiration date. In some cases, they may also contain the name and address of the registered owner.