In Delaware, remove your license plates before the donated vehicle is towed. The plates belong with you, not the car. After the tow, either surrender the plates through the DMV or transfer them to your next vehicle if you are eligible.
Keep the surrender or transfer receipt. It is your proof for canceling the registration, and it may be needed before you can cancel insurance without penalties. Then file the notice of transfer / release of liability.
What to do with your plates
Confirm the tag rule
For this state, treat the plates as yours. They should not ride away with the donated vehicle unless the DMV gives you a tag-specific instruction. Check current DMV instructions before pickup if your registration is expired, suspended, lost, personalized, or otherwise unusual. If the DMV tells you something different for your record, follow that instruction.
Remove plates before the tow
Take the plates off before the tow driver loads the vehicle. Bring a screwdriver or basic hand tool if the screws are rusted or tight. Remove every plate assigned to the vehicle, including the rear plate and any front plate if one is mounted. Do not leave plates in the trunk, glove box, or with the title.
Surrender or transfer the plates
After the vehicle leaves, choose one DMV path. If you are done with the registration, surrender the plates through the DMV. If you are putting the tags on another vehicle and you are eligible, transfer them through the DMV instead. Do not assume the donation automatically cancels the registration or moves the plates to another car.
Keep the DMV receipt
Ask for and keep the surrender or transfer receipt. Store a paper copy and a photo. This receipt is your proof that the plates were handled and the registration can be canceled or updated. It is also sometimes required before insurance can be canceled without a penalty, so do not throw it away after the tow.
File the transfer notice
After the plate step is handled, complete the notice of transfer / release of liability for your donated vehicle. Use our separate First State Autos Notice of Transfer / Release of Liability Guide for that task. Keep a copy with your plate receipt, donation records, insurance notes, and any DMV confirmation you receive.
If plates left with the car
If the vehicle was already towed and the plates are still on it, act quickly. Contact First State Autos and ask whether the plates can still be retrieved before the vehicle moves further through processing. If they cannot be recovered, contact the DMV for the correct next step on your record. Do not cancel your insurance just because the tow happened. Make sure the plate, registration, and receipt issue is handled first.
If plates are missing
If one or both plates are lost, stolen, damaged, or were removed by someone else, do not guess at the paperwork. Contact the DMV and explain that the vehicle was donated and the plates are not in your possession. Ask what proof or statement is needed to close out or update the registration. Keep notes showing the date, the office or representative contacted, and any confirmation number you are given.
Common questions
Do license plates stay with a donated car?
For this donation, remove the plates before the car is towed. The plate step is separate from signing over the title and handing off the vehicle. If the DMV gives you a specific instruction for a special tag or registration issue, follow that instruction.
Can I cancel insurance as soon as the car is towed?
Do not cancel insurance based only on the tow. First handle the plates through the DMV and keep the surrender or transfer receipt. That receipt is your proof for canceling the registration and may be needed before penalty-free insurance cancellation.
Can I use the same plates on my next vehicle?
Possibly. If you are eligible to transfer the plates, do it through the DMV and keep the transfer receipt. Do not move the plates onto another vehicle without the DMV transaction being completed, because the registration record must match the vehicle.
What if the tow driver says to leave the plates on?
Remove them anyway unless the DMV has specifically told you to leave them with the vehicle. Tow drivers handle vehicle pickup, but the plate and registration record remain your responsibility. If there is a disagreement, pause and contact First State Autos or the DMV.
More donation prep guides
Plate handling is a small step, but it protects your registration, insurance, and records after donation. Remove the tags, surrender or transfer them through the DMV, keep the receipt, and file the notice of transfer / release of liability. First State Autos supports Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). If your plates are still on the vehicle, contact us before the next step.