Canceling Liability Insurance
Because state law requires continuous liability insurance on all registered vehicles, a vehicle owner should cancel their insurance
only after they have turned in their North Carolina license plate to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.
Canceling insurance before returning the license plate will result in a fine for failure to maintain continuous insurance coverage.
Vehicle Storage
An owner storing a vehicle for an extended period should also return the vehicle's license plate before canceling liability insurance coverage.
Liability Insurance Lapse Penalty Waiver for Vehicles Registered Out of State
Any monetary penalty or restoration fee will be waived for any person who meets all the following requirements:
- The owner must furnish a copy of their out-of-state registration reflecting the vehicle has been registered by the owner in their new state within 30 days of the cancellation or expiration of the owner's North Carolina motor vehicle liability policy.
- The owner must submit a copy of their current out-of-state registration card to NCDMV.
- The owner must return the valid North Carolina license plate or submit an affidavit (MVR18A) indicating that the North Carolina registration plate has been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
Turning in a Plate
North Carolina license plates can be returned at any
NCDMV license plate agency or by mailing them to:
NCDMV Vehicle Registration Section
Renewal Title & Plate Unit
3148 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27697-3148
Receipts are provided upon request.
Drop-Off Service
License plates can also be left in a drop box at the North Raleigh License Plate Agency, 4121 New Bern Ave., Suite 151, Raleigh. Customers who need a receipt, however, should turn in the plates at a license plate agency or by mail.
Lost or Stolen Plates
Owners needing to cancel a lost or stolen North Carolina license plate must submit a completed
License Plate Turn-In Verification (MVR-18A) form to any
NCDMV license plate agency or by mailing it to the address on the form.
Completed forms may also be scanned and
submitted online.
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