FAQs
Learn how titles, liens, and salvage regulations work in Washington D.C. with our junk car FAQ – so the process is smooth and clear.
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Washington D.C. License Plate Surrender Guide
Free guide to cancel your D.C. registration, handle your license plates, and avoid insurance lapse penalties.
Quick Navigation
DC DMV Service Centers
Find official DC DMV locations and resources to help you complete your registration cancellation.
Southwest Service Center
Washington, D.C. Hours
Sun–Mon: Closed
Tue: 8:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Wed: 9:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Thu–Sat: 8:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Fees
$0
Registration Cancellation
Helpful Tip
Washington, D.C. issues both a front and rear license plate. Remember to remove both plates before canceling your registration.
Benning Ridge Service Center
Washington, D.C. Hours
Sun–Mon: Closed
Tue: 8:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Wed: 9:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Thu–Sat: 8:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Fees
$0
Registration Cancellation
Helpful Tip
Washington, D.C. issues both a front and rear license plate. Remember to remove both plates before canceling your registration.
Rhode Island Service Center
Contact Information
Phone 311 or (202) 737-4404
Address
2350 Washington Place NE
Suite 112N
Washington, DC 20018
Washington, D.C. Hours
Sun–Mon: Closed
Tue: 8:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Wed: 9:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Thu–Sat: 8:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Fees
$0
Registration Cancellation
Helpful Tip
Washington, D.C. issues both a front and rear license plate. Remove both plates before canceling your registration or disposing of your vehicle.
Georgetown Service Center
Temporarily Closed
Contact Information
Phone 311 or (202) 737-4404
Address
3270 M Street NW
Canal Level – Suite C200
Washington, DC 20007
Status
This service center is closed until further notice due to flooding.
Please visit another DC DMV Service Center or use available online services through the Official DC DMV website.
Fees
$0
Registration Cancellation
Helpful Tip
Washington, D.C. issues both a front and rear license plate. Remember to remove both plates before canceling your registration.
Step-by-Step Process
Follow this general process to surrender your license plate.
Confirm You Need to Cancel Your Registration
Cancel your registration if any of these situations apply:
- You sold your vehicle and won’t transfer the license plates to another vehicle you own.
- You’re moving out of Washington, D.C.
- Your vehicle was totaled or permanently taken out of service.
- You no longer need your Washington, D.C. registration.
Important: Cancel your registration before canceling your vehicle insurance to help avoid an insurance lapse and possible penalties.
Choose How You Want to Cancel Your Registration
Review each cancellation method and follow the one that’s right for you.
Cancel Online
Cancel your registration online. Then mark through the tag number before disposing of your plates.
Start CancellationMail Your Plates
Mail your license plates to the DC DMV location of your choice. Four mailing locations are available.
Visit a Service Center
Surrender your license plates at any open DC DMV Service Center. Visit the location that’s convenient for you.
Gather Your Documents
Before canceling your registration, make sure you have the information you’ll need.
- Both Washington, D.C. license plates (if available)
- Your vehicle registration information
- A government-issued photo ID if visiting a DC DMV Service Center
Lost or Stolen Plate?
If one or both license plates are lost or stolen, report the missing plate to your local law enforcement agency before completing your registration cancellation.
Complete the Process & Keep Your Records
After your registration has been canceled, complete these final steps.
- Save your registration cancellation confirmation or receipt.
- If you canceled online, permanently mark through both license plates before keeping, disposing of, or recycling them.
- Review your eligibility for a registration refund and submit a refund request if you qualify.
Helpful Tip:
To recycle your license plates in person, take them to the
Fort Totten Transfer Station
on the first Saturday of each month, as recommended by the D.C. Department of Public Works.
Select Your Situation
Choose your situation to learn about any additional requirements or special considerations.
I Sold My Vehicle +
Washington, D.C. license plates stay with the registered owner, not the vehicle.
- Remove both license plates before completing the sale.
- Cancel your registration if you’re not transferring your plates.
- Maintain your insurance until your registration has been canceled.
- Keep, destroy, mail, or surrender your plates. If you have a residential parking permit or visitor pass tied to this vehicle, sort that out with D.C. DMV at the same time so you’re not left paying for a permit on a car you no longer own.
I’m Moving Out of D.C. +
Moving to another state doesn’t automatically cancel your D.C. registration.
- Register your vehicle in your new state.
- Cancel your D.C. registration.
- Maintain your D.C. insurance until your registration has been canceled.
- Keep, destroy, mail, or surrender your plates.
My Vehicle Was Totaled +
A totaled vehicle doesn’t automatically cancel your D.C. registration.
- Cancel your registration if you no longer need it.
- Maintain your insurance until your registration has been canceled.
- Keep, destroy, mail, or surrender your plates.
- Save your cancellation confirmation for your records.
I’m Canceling Insurance +
Important: Always cancel your registration before canceling your vehicle insurance.
- Cancel your D.C. registration first.
- Keep your insurance active until you’ve received your tag surrender receipt.
- Then cancel your insurance policy.
Lost or Stolen Plate +
If one or both license plates are lost or stolen, file a police report as soon as possible.
- Report the missing plate to law enforcement.
- Keep a copy of the police report for your records.
- If requesting a replacement, bring the remaining plate if you still have it.
- Cancel your registration if you no longer need your plates.
I’m Eligible for a Refund +
You may qualify for a registration refund after canceling your registration.
- Cancel your D.C. registration first.
- You may be eligible if six months or more remain on your registration. Refunds are worked out in six-month increments and capped at 18 months.
- Complete the Refund Request Application if you qualify.
- Keep your cancellation confirmation until your refund is processed.
Important Things to Remember
Keep these important reminders in mind before surrendering your license plate.
Cancel Registration First
Always cancel your D.C. registration before canceling your insurance. Canceling insurance first may result in an insurance lapse and penalties.
Keep Your Confirmation
Save your cancellation confirmation for your records. You may need it to verify your registration cancellation or request a refund.
Report Missing Plates
If your license plates are lost or stolen, file a police report as soon as possible. This helps protect you from parking tickets or other violations.
Dispose of Your Plates
After canceling your registration, you may keep, destroy, mail, surrender, or recycle your license plates.
Before the truck arrives
- Ensure both plates are off the car
- Registration cancelled
- Cancellation receipt saved
- Insurance still running until the surrender receipt arrives
- Nothing of yours left in the glovebox
FAQs
Transferring a license plate from one vehicle you own to another costs $12, according to the D.C. DMV.
Yes. Once your registration has been canceled, you may keep your license plates as a souvenir or dispose of them. The D.C. DMV does not require you to return the physical plates after canceling your registration.
Online registration cancellations are typically processed immediately. If you submit your request by mail or in person, processing times may vary depending on the method you choose.
Yes. If your license plates are lost or stolen, you can still cancel your registration. DC DMV may require additional information, and it’s recommended that you file a police report if you no longer have possession of one or both plates.
Washington, D.C. issues two license plates, one for the front of the vehicle and one for the rear. If either plate is lost or stolen, file a police report to help protect yourself from potential misuse.
Washington D.C. Resource Center
Everything you need to junk a car in Washington D.C., from paperwork and titles to pricing and expert advice.
Have a no-title car you need to scrap in Washington D.C.? Find out the rules you must follow and how Wheels Away can help make it simple. Learn more about junk car prices in Washington D.C., including which components fetch more cash, whether to junk or salvage, and more. Learn how to cancel your Washington, D.C. registration, surrender or dispose of your license plates, and find DC DMV locations with this free guide.
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