What to do with Maine plates after moving to Virginia
The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed Maine instruction only after the Virginia registration and insurance handoff are safe.
Complete the replacement record
Title, register, and obtain Virginia plates through DMV; also notify the destination locality for vehicle property-tax records.
Meet Virginia vehicle-insurance requirements before registering.
Cancel the Maine plate after the destination registration is active
After the replacement registration is active, submit Maine's MVR-60 Plate Cancellation Request to BMV and keep the staff-signed copy, which serves as the plate cancellation order. Keep the destination registration with that proof before ending the old policy.
Open the official Maine instructionReviewed 2026-07-31- 1. Activate acceptable destination coverage
Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.
- 2. Register in Virginia
Keep the issued registration or official receipt.
- 3. Complete the Maine 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
- Maine BMV: Plate cancellation requestChecked 2026-07-31 ↗InsuranceExit closeout
- Virginia DMV: MovingChecked 2026-07-31 ↗LicenseRegistrationInsuranceInspection / VINTitle / lienTax / fees