What happens to the old license plates you return to the MVA?

Question

Do they get melted and rebuilt with different figures?

Answer 1

When you turn them in, they are destroyed and info is put on their computer.

Answer 2

In NYS, they slice into halves (immediately) then recycle them (later).  I suspect it is about the same everywhere.

Good Luck...

Answer 3

If the plate had not yet expired when you sold your car or cancelled your insurance, you probably did have to surrender the plate.  Many states prohibit you keeping unexpired plates in such instances.  But in other situations – if the plate had already expired before you sold the car, if you move to another state and re-register your car there, or if your state issues you a new plate when your old plate is about to expire – often the DMV doesn't want the old plate back.  Owners of large fleets of vehicles such as rental car companies seem to frequently have an understanding with the DMV where they don't have to turn in plates they are no longer using.  Ultimately many of these various plates find their way into the hands of collectors.