License plates serve as identification tools for law enforcement and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).
They help track vehicles and are increasingly used for toll payments. With rising concerns about car theft and home invasions, many towns now use license plate readers to monitor traffic. This makes it essential to handle your license plates properly when they are no longer in use.
Reporting Lost or Stolen License Plates
If your plates are lost or stolen, you must take action to avoid legal complications. You could be held responsible for any crimes committed using those plates if you fail to report them.
Steps to Report Stolen or Lost Plates (If Your Vehicle is Still in Use)
- File a police report in your local municipality.
- Visit a New Jersey MVC agency with the police report.
- Complete a Vehicle Registration/Plate Status form to mark the plates as lost or stolen.
- Obtain and keep verification of the transaction as proof.
Steps to Report Stolen or Lost Plates (If You No Longer Own the Vehicle)
- File a police report if the plates were stolen.
- Notify the MVC in writing that the plates were stolen and you no longer own the vehicle.
- Provide a signed statement detailing what happened.
- Include your name, mailing address, license plate number, and signature.
- Send all documents to: the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Customer Advocacy Office
P.O. Box 403, Trenton, NJ 08666-0403 - The MVC will process your request and send you verification.
Replacing Lost or Stolen Plates
You have two options for replacing lost or stolen plates: getting a new plate number or remaking the existing ones.
Getting New Plates
- File a police report.
- Visit an MVC agency with your registration and identification.
- Pay $6 for standard plates or $11 for special interest/dedicated plates.
Replacing Damaged Plates
- Visit an MVC agency with your registration and identification.
- Pay the applicable fee ($6 for standard plates, and $11 for special interest/dedicated plates).
- Surrender your damaged plates and receive a replacement set.
Remaking an Existing Plate Number
- Obtain an Application for Remaking an Existing Plate (Form SPU-89) by:
- Visiting an MVC agency.
- Downloading it online.
- Call (609) 292-6500 ext. 5061 to request a form and return envelope.
- Submit the completed form with a copy of your registration and an $11 check or money order.
- Plates will arrive by mail in 10 to 12 weeks.
Transferring Plates to a New Vehicle
You may be able to transfer your plates if:
- The new vehicle is registered in the same name as the previous one.
- The new vehicle is in the same category (e.g., car to car, truck to truck).
- You visit an MVC agency with your new title, registration, and identification.
Disposing of Old Plates
If you no longer need your plates, you must surrender them to the MVC.
In-Person Surrender
- Drop plates into the plate surrender box at an MVC agency.
- A receipt will be mailed to you as proof.
- If you need an immediate receipt for a suspension issue, speak with an MVC staff member inside the agency.
Mail Surrender
Send your plates to: the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
P.O. Box 129, Trenton, NJ 08666-0129
- If you need a receipt, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Handling Out-of-State Plates
New Jersey MVC does not accept plates from other states. If you have out-of-state plates, return them to the issuing state’s motor vehicle department.
Can You Keep Your Old Plates?
No. In New Jersey, keeping plates from a vehicle you no longer own is illegal. If your car is sold, junked, or destroyed and you do not plan to get another, you must surrender your plates for cancellation.
Consequences of Keeping Old Plates
If lost or stolen, your old plates could be used for illegal activities, and you may be held accountable. Always follow the proper procedures to avoid legal trouble.
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