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What to do with District of Columbia plates after moving to Mississippi

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

Mississippi comes first

Complete the replacement record

Apply through the county Tax Collector within 30 days after moving while the prior registration remains valid. Mississippi publishes a $250 penalty in addition to standard late-registration penalties for missing the new-resident deadline.

Maintain Mississippi liability coverage and keep the insurance card in the vehicle. The state notes that proof is required for operation even though registration offices do not enforce it as a filing prerequisite.

District of Columbia closeout

Cancel DC tags before ending DC insurance

After the destination registration is active, cancel the DC tag registration online or surrender the tags by mail or in person. Save the cancellation or surrender receipt, then cancel DC insurance; reversing the order creates an insurance-lapse fee.

Open the official District of Columbia instructionReviewed 2026-07-31
  1. 1. Activate acceptable destination coverage

    Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.

  2. 2. Register in Mississippi

    Keep the issued registration or official receipt.

  3. 3. Complete the District of Columbia 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