In Michigan, remove your license plate before your donated car is towed. Plates do not go with the vehicle. You can usually transfer the plate to another vehicle you own, or follow Michigan Secretary of State instructions for canceling, destroying, or surrendering a plate you will not use. If you surrender or cancel plates, keep the receipt or confirmation. It is your proof for ending registration and may be needed by your insurer before penalty-free cancellation.
What to do with your plates
Confirm Michigan plate rules
Michigan is a remove-the-plates state. The plate belongs with the donor, not with the donated vehicle. Before the tow, confirm the current rule with the Michigan Secretary of State if anything about your registration is unusual, such as a specialty plate, disability plate, leased vehicle, or estate donation. Do not rely on rules from another state.
Remove plates before towing
Take the license plate off before handing over the keys. Check both the front and rear of the vehicle if your vehicle has more than one plate or bracket. Put the plate in a safe place with your title, donation paperwork, and insurance documents. If the vehicle has already left with the plate attached, contact the towing provider and the Michigan Secretary of State for next steps.
Transfer or cancel the plate
Decide whether you will use the plate again. If you are replacing the vehicle, ask the Michigan Secretary of State about transferring the plate to the next vehicle you own. If you will not transfer it, follow their instructions for canceling, destroying, or surrendering the plate. If surrender is required or chosen, ask for written proof before you leave.
Keep your plate receipt
Keep any surrender receipt, cancellation receipt, or plate-transfer confirmation with your donation records. The surrender receipt is your proof for cancelling the registration and is sometimes a prerequisite to penalty-free insurance cancellation. Your insurer may ask for it before removing the donated car from the policy. Keep a photo or scan in case the paper copy is lost.
File the transfer notice
After the vehicle leaves your possession, complete any notice of transfer or release of liability step required or available through Michigan. This is separate from plate handling. Use our separate guide named Michigan Release of Liability After Donating a Car. Keep that filing confirmation with your plate receipt, title copy, donation receipt, and insurance records.
Why plate rules differ by state
Plate rules are state-dependent. In most states, the plates belong to the donor. The safe sequence is to remove them before the tow, then transfer, cancel, surrender, or dispose of them as that state directs. In a minority of states, plates stay with the vehicle. Michigan follows the donor-removal approach, so do not leave the plate on the donated vehicle. If you are unsure because the car was registered somewhere else, confirm with that state’s motor vehicle office before the vehicle is picked up.
Common questions
Can I leave my Michigan plate on the donated car?
No. For a Michigan-registered vehicle, remove the plate before the car is towed. The plate should not stay with the donated vehicle. Leaving it on can create confusion with registration, tolls, parking issues, or insurance cancellation.
What if the car already left with the plates attached?
Contact the towing provider right away and ask whether the plate can be retrieved. Then contact the Michigan Secretary of State for the proper correction step. Also tell your insurer that the vehicle has been donated and that you are working on the plate issue.
Do I need a receipt before cancelling insurance?
Ask your insurance company before cancelling coverage. Some insurers want proof that the registration was cancelled, the plate was surrendered, or the vehicle was transferred before they cancel without penalty. Keep any plate receipt or confirmation with your donation paperwork.
Can I transfer the plate to another vehicle?
Often, yes, if the next vehicle and registration qualify under Michigan Secretary of State rules. Do not put the plate on another vehicle until the transfer is properly handled. Keep the transfer confirmation as part of your donation and insurance records.
More donation prep guides
For a Grand Rapids Metro donation, the plate step is simple but important: remove the Michigan plate before the tow, follow Secretary of State instructions, keep proof, and file the separate transfer or release step. Your donation through River City Rides supports Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). If you still have the vehicle, take the plates off before pickup.