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What to do with Rhode Island plates after moving to Colorado

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

Colorado comes first

Complete the replacement record

Register the vehicle through the county motor vehicle office within 90 days after becoming a resident.

Bring proof of Colorado-compliant insurance for the vehicle.

Rhode Island closeout

Cancel the Rhode Island registration before ending its insurance

After the destination registration is active, cancel the Rhode Island registration online or through an accepted mail or drop-box method and keep the confirmation or receipt. Then end the Rhode Island policy and destroy or recycle plates canceled online.

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

    Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.

  2. 2. Register in Colorado

    Keep the issued registration or official receipt.

  3. 3. Complete the Rhode Island 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