Cancel Plates / Registration

Why do I Need to Cancel My Rhode Island Registration?

All Rhode Island vehicle registrations are subject to excise taxes with the City or Town the vehicle is registered in or garaged at. Also, in accordance with RI General Law Title 31 Chapter 47 (RIGL 31-47), known as the Motor Vehicle Reparations Act, all registered vehicles in RI are required to maintain financial security or active liability auto insurance for the duration of the registration. To avoid excise taxes and insurance revocation fines, registrations must be cancelled at the conclusion of the vehicle's use.

NOTE: The Rhode Island DMV no longer accepts canceled plates in person. You should not make a reservation to cancel your registration.

How do I Cancel My Rhode Island Registration? 

To cancel a registration, please do one of the following:

  1. Online Cancellation

    • For the safety and convenience of Rhode Islanders, an online transaction was created to cancel registrations. This service may be used to cancel an active registration currently on file with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles.
    • Please enter the information requested exactly as it appears on your registration certificate.
    • For those individuals with a REAL ID, your full middle name is required when entering the registrant's name.
    • For those with a Leased Vehicle, enter the information of the Leasing Company as it appears on the registration certificate.
    • Upon completion, enter the email address desired for a confirmation to be sent and you'll be asked to enter the plate number to confirm plate cancellation. Once the confirmation has been received, the plates maybe destroyed or recycled.
    • Please keep this confirmation email as your proof of cancellation for tax purposes.
    • Please DO NOT return cancelled plates to any DMV or AAA Branch. Once plates that are cancelled through the online service, they may be destroyed and discarded.

  2. Cancel Plates using Drop Box

    Plates may be cancelled using the Drop Box located within each DMV Branch.  Please include the Affidavit for Cancellation of Registration form with your plates.  The Drop Box is only accessible during normal branch hours. 

    • In order to cancel a registration using this service, the DMV must confirm the registered owner. Be sure to include a photocopy of the owner's photo identification OR a copy of the vehicle registration. Plates returned without this documentation will not be cancelled.
    • To receive a receipt (Form TR-3), a postage paid self-addressed envelope is required. If this is not included, the receipt of cancellation will not be sent. Keep the cancellation receipt to avoid future excise tax claims if your city or town neglects to remove your vehicle from their records.

  3. Cancel Plates by Mail

    For the safety and convenience of those Rhode Islanders who may not have access to a computer or the internet, the Rhode Island DMV allows plates to be mailed in for cancellation by sending them through Certified Mail to: RI DMV, ATTN: Plate Office, 600 New London Avenue Cranston, RI 02920

    • In order to cancel a registration using this service, the DMV must confirm the registered owner. Be sure to include a photocopy of the owner's photo identification OR a copy of the vehicle registration. Plates returned without this documentation will not be cancelled.
    • To receive a receipt (Form TR-3), a postage paid self-addressed envelope is required. If this is not included, the receipt of cancellation will not be sent. Keep the cancellation receipt to avoid future excise tax claims if your city or town neglects to remove your vehicle from their records.

Cancellation of Lost Plates

If plates are lost, please complete and mail an Affidavit for Cancellation of Registration for Lost Plates.

If you need to get new plates to replace the lost plates, please make a reservation to go to any DMV branch. This Plate Change transaction can be done at any DMV branch.

Cancellation of Stolen Plates

If plates are stolen, please provide a copy of a police report with a letter requesting cancellation, or submit a completed Affidavit for Cancellation of Registration for Lost Plates.

If you need to get new plates to replace the stolen plate(s), please make a reservation to go to any DMV branch . This Plate Change transaction can be done at any DMV branch.