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Origin record closeout

What to do with Colorado plates after moving to Maryland

The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed Colorado instruction only after the Maryland registration and insurance handoff are safe.

Maryland comes first

Complete the replacement record

Title and register the vehicle within the same 60-day period. MVA offers a combined new-resident appointment for the license, title, and registration.

Have Maryland insurance information ready for the title and registration application, including the company and policy or binder number.

Colorado closeout

Return or recycle Colorado plates after replacement registration

After the destination registration is active and the Colorado plates are off the vehicle, return regular plates to a Colorado county motor vehicle office or use a recycler that accepts metal license plates. Ask the county before disposing of personalized or qualifying specialty plates, and retain the replacement registration proof.

Open the official Colorado instructionReviewed 2026-07-31
  1. 1. Activate acceptable destination coverage

    Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.

  2. 2. Register in Maryland

    Keep the issued registration or official receipt.

  3. 3. Complete the Colorado plate action

    Keep the surrender, cancellation, mailing, destruction, or retention record the state provides.

  4. 4. End or rewrite the old policy

    Ask the insurer to use dates that do not create an uncovered active registration.

Sources for this closeout sequence

Open the complete routeCheck the insurance handoff