What to do with Louisiana plates after moving to Maryland
The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed Louisiana instruction only after the Maryland registration and insurance handoff are safe.
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.
Cancel the Louisiana plate before ending its insurance
After the destination registration is active, cancel the Louisiana plate online, at an OMV office, or by mail before canceling liability insurance. If canceled online, remove and destroy the plate after saving confirmation.
Open the official Louisiana instructionReviewed 2026-07-31- 1. Activate acceptable destination coverage
Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.
- 2. Register in Maryland
Keep the issued registration or official receipt.
- 3. Complete the Louisiana 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
- Louisiana OMV: Cancel a plateChecked 2026-07-31 ↗InsuranceExit closeout
- Maryland MVA: New resident guideChecked 2026-07-31 ↗LicenseRegistration
- Maryland MVA: Title and register an incoming vehicleChecked 2026-07-31 ↗RegistrationInsuranceInspection / VINTitle / lienTax / fees