In Florida, remove your license plates before the donated vehicle is towed. Florida plates generally stay with the donor, not the car. After removal, either transfer the plate to your next vehicle through the Florida DMV or surrender it to the DMV or tax collector if you will not use it.
Keep the surrender receipt. It is your proof for canceling the registration and may be needed before you can cancel insurance without penalties.
What to do with your plates
Confirm Florida plate rules
Check the current Florida DMV guidance before the tow if you have any unusual situation, such as a specialty plate, leased vehicle, or missing title. For a standard donation, Florida treats the license plate as yours. The plate should not leave with the vehicle. If a DMV office gives you a different instruction for your plate type, follow that instruction.
Remove plates before towing
Take the plate off the rear of the car before the tow truck loads it. Remove any front decorative plate too, but the state plate is the important item. Put the plate, registration, and donation paperwork somewhere together. Do not leave the plate in the glove box, trunk, or back seat for the driver to handle later.
Surrender or transfer them
If you are replacing the donated vehicle, ask the Florida DMV or tax collector how to transfer the plate to the next vehicle. If you are not transferring it, surrender it to the DMV or tax collector. Do this before you cancel Florida insurance. The office can tell you the accepted surrender method for your situation.
Keep the surrender receipt
Ask for a surrender receipt or other written confirmation when you turn in the plate. Keep it with your donation and insurance papers. The receipt is your proof that the registration can be canceled. Some insurers also want this proof before they will cancel coverage without a registration or insurance penalty problem. Do not throw it away after the car leaves.
File your release notice
After the plate step is handled, file the notice of transfer or release of liability with the Florida DMV process that applies to your donation. Use our separate Notice of Transfer / Release of Liability Guide for that task. Keep a copy or confirmation with your plate receipt and donation records. That paperwork helps separate you from future activity tied to the vehicle.
If the tow is today
If the tow is today and the plates are still on the car, remove them before handing over the keys. A basic screwdriver is usually enough, but rusted screws can slow you down. If the driver arrives while you are working, tell the driver the plates must come off first. For a Drive Forward Jax donation in the Jacksonville Metro, the safe default is simple: no Florida plate should leave on the vehicle unless the Florida DMV has told you otherwise for that exact plate.
If a plate is missing
If one plate is missing, damaged, or already left with the vehicle, do not guess. Contact the Florida DMV or your county tax collector and ask what record, statement, or surrender alternative they require. Tell them the vehicle was donated and is no longer in your possession. Keep notes showing who you contacted and what they instructed. Also notify your insurer that you are resolving the plate record before canceling coverage, so you do not create a registration or insurance issue by accident.
Common questions
Do I need to remove every plate?
Remove every official Florida license plate assigned to the donated vehicle before it is towed. Many Florida vehicles have one rear plate. If your vehicle has any official plate, do not leave it on the car. Decorative front plates are not the DMV issue, but you may remove them if you want to keep them.
Can I cancel insurance as soon as the car is towed?
Do not cancel Florida insurance just because the tow happened. Handle the plate first. If you are not transferring the plate, surrender it and keep the receipt. That receipt is your proof for canceling the registration, and some insurers want it before canceling coverage without a penalty issue.
What if I forgot and the plate left with the car?
Contact Drive Forward Jax right away and also contact the Florida DMV or your county tax collector. Ask what they require when a plate was not removed before donation. Do not wait for the plate to turn up. Keep notes, names, and any written instructions you receive.
Do plates ever stay with the donated vehicle?
Yes, in a minority of states the plates stay with the vehicle. In most states, including Florida for a standard donation, plates stay with the donor. Because plate rules are state-based, follow Florida DMV instructions for this donation and ask the DMV directly if your plate type is unusual.
More donation prep guides
Once the plates are removed, surrendered or transferred, and your release filing is saved, your donation file is in much better order. Drive Forward Jax is the vehicle-donation program benefiting Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). If you still have the car, remove the plate before the tow. If the tow already happened, contact the Florida DMV and your insurer next.