In Utah, remove your plates before the donated vehicle is towed. The plates generally belong to you, not the vehicle. After pickup, transfer them to your next vehicle or cancel the registration by surrendering or otherwise closing them out with the state DMV.
Get a surrender or cancellation receipt. That receipt is your proof for registration cancellation and may be needed before your insurer will cancel coverage without penalties.
What to do with your plates
Confirm the current plate rule
Before the tow, check the current DMV instructions for the registration on this vehicle. The working rule here is donor-keeps-plates: the plates do not ride away with the donated car. If your registration has a special plate type, leased title, fleet account, or other unusual setup, confirm the plate handling before you release the keys.
Remove both plates before tow
Take off the front and rear plates before the tow truck leaves. Put the screws or fasteners in a bag so they do not get lost. Do not place the plates in the glove box, trunk, or back seat. Once the vehicle leaves, getting plates back may take extra calls and may not be possible.
Transfer or surrender the plates
If you have another eligible vehicle, ask the DMV how to transfer the plates to that vehicle. If you are not transferring them, surrender or cancel the plates with the DMV using its current process. Ask for written proof, whether that is a counter receipt, mailed confirmation, or online confirmation from your DMV account.
Keep the DMV receipt
Save the surrender or cancellation receipt with your title, donation papers, and insurance records. This receipt is your proof that the registration was cancelled or closed out. Some insurers may ask for it before cancelling coverage without a penalty or coverage dispute. Keep a photo or scan in case the paper copy is lost.
File the transfer notice
After the plates are handled, file the notice of transfer or release of liability for the donated vehicle. Use our separate ReviveRides Release of Liability Guide for that task. Keep the filing confirmation with your DMV receipt. The plate step and the release-of-liability step are separate, and both help document that you no longer control the vehicle.
If plates left with the car
If the tow already happened and the plates are still on the vehicle, act quickly. Contact ReviveRides or the tow contact and ask whether the plates can still be removed and returned. If they cannot be recovered, call the DMV and ask how to cancel, surrender, or otherwise close out the plates under the current process. Write down the date, the office contacted, and the instructions you were given.
Why this is state-dependent
Plate rules are not the same everywhere. In most states, license plates belong to the donor, so the donor removes them before pickup and then transfers, surrenders, or cancels them. In a minority of states, plates may stay with the vehicle. For this donation, follow the donor-keeps-plates rule above unless the DMV gives you different instructions for your exact registration.
Common questions
Do I give the plates to the tow driver?
No. Remove the plates before the tow and keep them with you. The tow driver should take the donated vehicle, not your active plates. If a driver asks about plates, tell them you are keeping the plates for DMV transfer, surrender, or cancellation.
Can I cancel insurance after donating the car?
Ask your insurer what it needs before cancelling coverage. Many donors wait until the vehicle has been picked up, the plates are surrendered or cancelled, and the release of liability is filed. The DMV surrender or cancellation receipt may be required for penalty-free insurance cancellation.
What if I want to use the plates on my next car?
Keep the plates after the tow and contact the DMV about transfer requirements for your next vehicle. Do not put them on another vehicle until the DMV transfer is complete. Keep the transfer confirmation with your donation and insurance records.
More donation prep guides
Handling plates is a small step, but it protects your registration, insurance file, and donation records. Remove the plates before the tow, transfer or surrender them, keep the receipt, and file the release of liability. ReviveRides supports Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). When you are ready, keep your documents together and contact ReviveRides if you need help.