Motor Vehicles



Tag Surrender

You must return your vehicle tags to the DMV if:

  • You move out of the District
  • Your insurance is cancelled (note that vehicle tags should be surrendered prior to canceling your insurance to avoid insurance lapse fees)
  • You sell your car or donate it to charity and do not transfer your vehicle tags to another vehicle
  • One of your tags has been stolen and you have obtained replacement tags
  • You cancel your registration
  • You change to disability, personalized or organizational tags
  • You replace worn tags

To surrender your tags:

  • Return them in person at a DMV service location
  • Return them by mail at DC DMV, Vehicle Registration, P.O. Box 90120, Washington, DC 20090
  • Obtain a receipt from DMV for your records

You are responsible for any infractions incurred on the tags if you do not surrender them to DMV.