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March 21, 2025 – Selling your car? Before you hand over the keys, don’t forget to remove your license plates. That simple step could save you hundreds of dollars in tolls, parking tickets, and red‑light camera fines that a buyer might rack up before registering the vehicle.
In Colorado, the law is clear: plates stay with the owner, not the vehicle. Yet many private sellers overlook this rule, leaving themselves exposed to liability that can take months to resolve. “We see it all the time – someone sells a car, the buyer runs tolls, and the seller gets the bill,” says Paula Bacon, Director of Logan County Motor Vehicle. “The safest move is to always remove your plates at the time of sale.”
License plates are registered to the owner, not the car. When you transfer the vehicle, the plate remains linked to your name until you either surrender it to the DMV or transfer it to another vehicle you own. If the buyer drives off with your plates still attached, any tolls, parking tickets, or speed camera violations will be mailed to you. You’ll then have to prove you weren’t driving – a process that can involve police reports, notarized affidavits, and weeks of back‑and‑forth.
The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Division of Motor Vehicles recommends completing a Bill of Sale that includes the vehicle’s VIN, sale date, and buyer’s signature. This document serves as temporary proof of ownership for the buyer and allows them to drive without registration for up to 36 hours in Colorado. During that window, the buyer must obtain new plates and registration in their own name. If they fail to do so, the seller’s liability continues.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 42‑3‑112, a seller must remove the license plates before delivering the vehicle. The buyer must then apply for new plates within 36 hours. Failure to remove plates can result in the seller being held responsible for any traffic violations until the vehicle is properly reregistered.
“Many people think they’re being helpful by leaving the plates on so the buyer can drive home legally,” explains Bacon. “But in reality, that ‘help’ can backfire. The buyer might drive for weeks without registering, and the seller gets the tickets.”
According to a 2025 survey by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), nearly 1 in 5 private car sales in the U.S. involve a dispute over tolls or tickets after the transfer. Colorado ranks among the top 10 states for such disputes, partly due to the high number of cash‑less toll roads. The average cost of a single unpaid toll plus administrative fees is $45, but when multiple violations stack up, total bills can exceed $500.
To avoid this, the Logan County Motor Vehicle Department now offers a free “Plate Removal Kit” – a simple checklist and a pre‑addressed envelope for returning old plates. Sellers can also drop off plates at the office at 315 Main Street, Sterling, CO 80751, or recycle them on site.
If you’re selling to someone from another state, the rules are slightly different. The buyer will need a temporary operating permit from your state to drive the car home. In Colorado, you can obtain a 36‑hour permit from the Motor Vehicle office. The buyer must then register the vehicle in their home state within the permit’s validity. Your plates should never travel past state lines.
Q: Can I sell my car with the plates on if the buyer promises to register quickly?
A: No. A verbal promise is not legally binding. The plate remains your responsibility until the buyer has new plates.
Q: What if I lost the plates?
A: You must report the loss to the DMV and apply for a duplicate before sale. Then remove the duplicate plates.
Q: How do I dispose of old plates?
A: Logan County Motor Vehicle accepts them for recycling. You can also mail them to the Colorado DMV.
For more questions, call the Logan County Motor Vehicle Department at 970‑522‑1158 (plates, renewals, titling) or the Election and Recording Department at 522‑1544 (voter records, document recording). Email: baconp@logancountyco.gov. Follow on Facebook: Logan County Elections/MotorVehicle/Recording.
Remember: removing your license plates is a simple, free step that protects you from financial headaches. Don’t skip it – your wallet will thank you.
This article was updated on March 21, 2025, based on information from the Colorado Department of Revenue, Logan County Motor Vehicle, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
