What to do with Indiana plates after moving to Washington
The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed Indiana instruction only after the Washington registration and insurance handoff are safe.
Complete the replacement record
Register the vehicle within the same 30-day period at a separate vehicle licensing office.
Maintain continuous coverage accepted for the Washington-registered vehicle.
Destroy the unused Indiana plate instead of returning it
After the destination registration is active and the Indiana plate is no longer registered, do not mail it to BMV. Indiana says unused or expired plates do not need to be surrendered; cut, shred, damage, or deface the plate until it is permanently unreadable before disposal.
Open the official Indiana instructionReviewed 2026-07-31- 1. Activate acceptable destination coverage
Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.
- 2. Register in Washington
Keep the issued registration or official receipt.
- 3. Complete the Indiana plate action
Keep the surrender, cancellation, mailing, destruction, or retention record the state provides.
- 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
- Indiana BMV: Unused and expired plate handlingChecked 2026-07-31 ↗Exit closeout
- Washington DOL: Vehicle registration and platesChecked 2026-07-31 ↗RegistrationInsuranceTitle / lienTax / fees