For this WV donation, remove the license plates before the vehicle is towed. The plates belong with you, not the donated car. After removal, either transfer them to your next vehicle through the DMV or surrender them to the DMV if you will not use them. Keep the surrender receipt. It is your proof for canceling the registration and may be needed before you cancel insurance without penalties.
What to do with your plates
Confirm the West Virginia rule
Before the tow, confirm the current plate instructions with the DMV if anything is unusual about your title, registration, insurance, or plate type. The standard donor task is to remove the plates because they stay with you. Do not rely on the tow driver to decide plate handling for you. Make this check before the vehicle leaves your driveway, lot, or storage location.
Remove plates before the tow
Take off both plates before the vehicle is loaded. Put the screws, frames, and plates somewhere safe so they are not lost during pickup. If the vehicle has only one plate attached, remove that plate. If the plates are damaged, still keep what you have. The key point is simple: the donated vehicle should not leave with your active plates attached.
Transfer or surrender them
After removal, choose the path that fits your next step. If you are putting the plates on another eligible vehicle, handle the transfer through the DMV. If you are not transferring them, surrender the plates to the DMV. Do not keep active plates in a drawer and assume the registration is closed. Plate surrender or transfer is what helps end your responsibility for that registration.
Keep the surrender receipt
Ask for and keep the plate surrender receipt or other DMV proof. Store it with your donation paperwork, title copy, and insurance records. The receipt is your proof that you canceled the registration tied to those plates. It can also be a prerequisite for penalty-free insurance cancellation, depending on DMV and insurer requirements. Do not throw it away after the tow.
File the liability notice
After the plates are handled, file the notice of transfer or release of liability for the donated vehicle. This is separate from plate surrender. It helps show that you no longer control the vehicle after donation. Use our separate guide, Notice of Transfer / Release of Liability After Donating Your Car, for that task. Do not skip it because you already removed the plates.
If the tow already happened
If the vehicle already left with plates attached, act quickly. Contact Appalachian Autos and the towing provider and ask whether the plates can still be removed before the vehicle is processed. If they cannot be recovered, contact the DMV and ask how to document the missing plates and close the registration record. Keep notes of who you contacted, the date, and what they told you. Do not cancel insurance until you know what proof the DMV or insurer needs.
Common questions
Can I leave the plates on the donated vehicle?
No. For this donation task, remove the plates before the vehicle is towed. The plates are tied to your registration record. Leaving them on the vehicle can make it harder to cancel registration, transfer plates, surrender plates, or answer later questions about insurance or vehicle use.
Do I need the surrender receipt before canceling insurance?
Often, yes. The surrender receipt is your proof that the registration tied to those plates has been canceled or closed. Some insurance cancellation processes also ask for plate surrender proof before canceling without penalties. Check with your insurer and the DMV before ending coverage.
What if I want to transfer the plates to my next car?
Do not surrender plates you plan to transfer. Remove them from the donated vehicle and ask the DMV how to complete the transfer to your next eligible vehicle. Keep the DMV transfer paperwork with your donation records so you can show the plates did not stay with the donated car.
More donation prep guides
Your last plate tasks are practical: remove the plates, transfer or surrender them, keep the receipt, and file the liability notice. These steps protect your registration and insurance records after the donated vehicle leaves. Appalachian Autos helps donors support Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446), but plate handling stays with the donor. If your plates are still on the vehicle, start with the DMV and your donation paperwork today.