For a Tennessee donation, remove both license plates before the car is towed. The plates should not leave on the donated vehicle unless the Tennessee DMV or your county clerk tells you otherwise. After pickup, either transfer the plates to another vehicle you own or surrender them to the county clerk or DMV if you are canceling the registration. Keep the surrender receipt; it is your proof for registration cancellation and may be needed before penalty-free insurance cancellation.
What to do with your plates
Confirm the state rule
Before the tow, confirm the current plate rule with your county clerk or DMV if anything about your title, registration, or plate type is unusual. In most states, plates belong to the donor and should be removed. In a smaller group of states, plates stay with the vehicle. For this donation task, treat the plates as yours unless the DMV tells you otherwise.
Remove both plates
Take the front and rear plates off before the driver loads the vehicle. Do this even if the car is not running, has expired tags, or is being picked up from a driveway, repair shop, or storage lot. Put the plates somewhere safe right away. Do not leave them in the glove box, trunk, seat pocket, or attached to the bumper.
Transfer or surrender them
Decide what you are doing with the plates after the vehicle leaves. If you are replacing the donated car, ask about transferring the plates to your next vehicle. If you are not transferring them, surrender them through the county clerk or DMV process. Do not throw plates away until you know surrender is not required for your registration or insurance situation.
Keep the surrender receipt
If you surrender the plates, keep the receipt or written confirmation with your donation records. That receipt is your proof that the plates were turned in and can support cancellation of the registration. It is also sometimes required before you can cancel insurance without penalties or questions. Keep a digital photo or scan in case the paper copy is misplaced.
File the transfer notice
After the car is picked up, file the notice of transfer or release of liability required for your situation. This is separate from removing the plates. It helps show that you no longer control the vehicle after donation. Use our separate guide, Release of Liability After Donating a Car, and follow the state instructions exactly.
If the tow is today
If the tow is already on the way, handle the plates first. Bring a screwdriver, take photos of the vehicle with the plates removed, and put the plates in your house or another secure place. If the vehicle is at a shop, lot, or family member’s home, tell the person releasing the vehicle that the plates must be removed before pickup. If the vehicle has already left with plates attached, contact Volunteer Wheels and then check with the DMV about next steps.
Why the receipt matters
The plate surrender receipt is a small document, but it solves several common problems. It can show that you ended your registration responsibility for that plate. It can also help your insurer process a cancellation cleanly when proof is requested. Keep it with your title copy, donation paperwork, and any DMV confirmation. If you transfer the plates instead of surrendering them, keep the transfer confirmation for the same reason.
Common questions
Should I leave the plates on the donated car?
No. Remove the plates before the tow unless the DMV or county clerk specifically tells you that your plate type must stay with the vehicle. For a standard donation, the safer task is to take the plates off first, then handle surrender or transfer separately.
What if the vehicle was already towed with plates attached?
Contact Volunteer Wheels as soon as you notice. Then ask the DMV or county clerk what they need from you. You may need to document the donation, confirm whether the plates can be recovered, and complete any registration or liability steps tied to the plate.
Can I cancel insurance after I donate the car?
Do not cancel insurance only because the car was picked up. First, remove or surrender the plates as required, keep the receipt if you surrender them, and complete your transfer or release paperwork. Some insurers ask for registration cancellation or plate surrender proof before penalty-free cancellation.
Do I need to destroy surrendered plates?
Do not destroy plates unless the DMV or county clerk says that is the correct option for your situation. If surrender is required, get a receipt. If transfer is allowed and you plan to use the plates again, keep them secure until they are assigned to the next vehicle.
More donation prep guides
Plate handling is one of the last tasks after a donation, but it protects you after the vehicle leaves your control. Remove the plates, transfer or surrender them, keep the receipt, and file the transfer or release paperwork. Volunteer Wheels supports vehicle donations benefiting Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). When your plates are handled, finish the remaining paperwork when you are ready.