How do I Cancel my Massachusetts License Plates?

If you’re currently moving out of Massachusetts, no longer own your vehicle, or have had your vehicle reported stolen - then you may be wondering how exactly you should go about canceling your license plates. 

Canceling your vehicle's license plate registration is an important step to take in any of these scenarios, but can often feel overwhelming to drivers unsure of where to start. 

Berry Insurance is used to guiding clients through this process when they need to get a new vehicle or are moving out of “The Spirit of America” (can’t argue with the license plate slogan!), so we’re happy to break down the process for you. 

In this guide we’ll explain how to go about canceling your plates, what you’ll need to complete the process,  

How can I cancel my plates? 

In some cases, AAA or your insurance agent can handle the process of canceling your plates on your behalf - a service our agents at Berry Insurance are happy to provide! However, if your agent doesn’t offer this or it is not an option, it is easy to cancel your plates on your own. 

Plates cancellations can be handled on the Mass.gov RMV website, unless the vehicle in question has two registered owners. If there are two owners of the vehicle, both must complete and sign the Affidavit for Cancellation of Registration. 

But, if you don’t feel like dealing with technology, or just prefer handling it in person, you can always cancel your registration by printing out and mailing the completed affidavit to the RMV’s address listed on the form or filling out the form at your local RMV. 

What do I need to cancel my license plates? 

In order to cancel your your registration, you will need to provide the following: 

• Your license plate/vehicle registration number 
• Your email address 

As well as one of the following forms of identification: 

• Driver’s license, permit, or ID number 
• Social Security Number 
• FID number (If the car/truck is registered to a company or corporation) 

Once the cancellation is complete, the RMV will provide you with a registration cancellation receipt. Be sure to keep this receipt for your records and have a photocopy for your insurance company if they need it. 

How much does it cost to cancel my license plate? 

Canceling your registration does not cost any additional fees. However, you may be charged a reinstatement fee if your registration was revoked due to an insurance obligation. The reinstatement fee will need to be paid in full before registering the vehicle with a new plate number in Massachusetts. 

Additionally, you may be entitled to a refund of your local motor vehicle excise tax if you cancel your registration due to moving out of Massachusetts, having your vehicle reported stolen, or if you no longer own the vehicle. The refund is only provided in these scenarios, not if you simply cancel your registration.

You will need to provide documentation of these actions (and any additional requirements by state law) to your local assessors’ office to process the abatement application. 

What do I do with my license plates once they’re canceled?

Once the cancellation is completed, the license plates should be recycled or disposed of. The RMV no longer requires the physical plates to be returned to them after cancellation, so you can simply cut or fold them in half, as they can no longer be used.  

Getting back on the road

Now that you have a better understanding of what goes into canceling your plates in Massachusetts, you can be prepared to handle this important process. 

If you need to cancel your plates because you’re giving your car away to another party, you may be interested in learning more about the process of gifting a car. To learn more about this topic, check out our guide on how to gift/transfer a vehicle in Massachusetts.

If you’re instead moving to Massachusetts (welcome!) and need to know how to register your vehicle in a brand new state, take a look at this article: How to Register a Vehicle When Moving to Massachusetts.