How To Cancel Vehicle Registration Online in Virginia in 2026
Virginia mandates owners who will cancel their vehicle registration to surrender their license plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when discontinuing vehicle operation or transferring ownership. The Virginia DMV offers an online plate surrender system for permanent cancellation, though this method does not qualify for registration fee refunds. Vehicle owners seeking refunds must surrender plates through alternative methods at DMV customer service centers or by mail.
Surrendering your license plates terminates the legal authority of your vehicle to operate on Virginia roadways. Virginia Code § 46.2-707 requires immediate plate surrender when a vehicle becomes uninsured or when registration is no longer needed, and failure to comply may result in penalties.
When Registration Cancellation May Be Needed
Virginia residents must surrender their vehicle registration and license plates under numerous circumstances:
- Completing the sale of your vehicle to a private buyer
- Exchanging your vehicle at a dealership as part of a purchase transaction
- Providing your vehicle as a charitable donation or gift to another individual
- Moving your residence permanently to another state
- Concluding a vehicle lease agreement and returning the vehicle to the lessor
- Delivering your vehicle to a salvage facility or scrap metal processor
- Receiving a total loss determination from your insurance company
- Reporting your vehicle as stolen to law enforcement without subsequent recovery
- Maintaining a vehicle in long-term storage without active insurance coverage
- Transferring vehicle ownership through probate or estate administration
- Removing a vehicle from service permanently
- Canceling your vehicle liability insurance policy
Online and In-Person Surrender Process
Virginia offers three distinct methods for surrendering license plates, each with specific advantages and limitations regarding registration fee refunds.
Online Plate Surrender
The DMV operates an online plate surrender system that provides the fastest processing method. This option allows immediate reporting of plate surrender without visiting a customer service center or mailing physical plates.
Important Limitation: Using the online plate surrender system disqualifies you from receiving any registration fee refund. If you have six full months or more remaining on your registration and wish to obtain a refund, you must use either the in-person or mail-in surrender method instead.
Processing: The online system processes your surrender immediately upon completion. After submitting your information electronically, you must physically destroy your license plates by cutting them in half and disposing of them properly.
In-Person Surrender at Customer Service Centers
Surrendering plates directly at any Virginia DMV customer service center provides immediate processing and potential eligibility for registration fee refunds.
Procedure: Visit any customer service center during regular business hours. No appointment is necessary, though standard wait times apply. Present your license plates to a customer service representative who will process your surrender and provide a receipt. If you have six full months or more remaining on your registration, you may qualify for a partial refund.
Advantages: Immediate confirmation of plate surrender, instant receipt for your records, and preservation of refund eligibility if applicable.
Mail-In Surrender with Refund Application
Mailing your license plates to the DMV represents the only method for specifically requesting a registration fee refund while surrendering plates.
Required Documentation:
Complete the Vehicle Registration Refund Application (Form FMS 210) and include:
- Both license plates from your vehicle
- Completed and signed refund application
- Vehicle plate number and title number
- Your current mailing address for refund check delivery
- Driver's license number or Social Security Number
- Certification that the vehicle has been sold, disposed of, or will not operate on Virginia roads
Mailing Address:
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 26668
Richmond, VA 23261-6668
Processing Timeframes: The DMV processes mail-in plate surrenders and refund applications within approximately 30 days of receipt. Your refund check will be mailed to the address shown in DMV records.
Plate Deactivation as Alternative
Virginia offers plate deactivation as a temporary alternative if you need to cancel insurance coverage but wish to retain your license plates for future use. Deactivation suspends your registration without permanently surrendering plates.
Critical Requirement: You must complete plate deactivation before canceling your insurance policy. Canceling insurance while your registration remains active will result in suspension of your driving and registration privileges.
Reactivation: You can reactivate your plates online or by phone at (804) 497-7100 by providing insurance information and paying a $10 reactivation fee, provided no outstanding tax obligations exist on your vehicle.
Petition for Refund of Registration Fees
Virginia regulations permit vehicle owners to receive partial refunds of registration fees when surrendering plates with substantial time remaining before expiration.
Refund Eligibility
Registration fee refunds are calculated based on complete six-month periods remaining on your registration at the time of plate surrender.
Eligibility Requirements:
You qualify for a registration fee refund only if your registration has six full months or more remaining before expiration when you surrender your plates to the DMV. Registrations with less than six full months remaining do not qualify for any refund.
Refund Calculation: Refunds are calculated in six-month increments. If your registration has six to eleven months remaining, you receive a refund for one six-month period. If twelve months or more remain, you receive a refund for two six-month periods.
Processing Fee: A $5 processing fee is deducted from your refund if none of the registration period has passed at the time of surrender.
Excluded Fees: Refunds apply only to the base registration fee. The following fees are not refundable:
- Highway Use Fees for standard vehicles
- One-time plate reservation fees for personalized or special plates
- Virginia Road Tax assessed on heavy commercial trucks
- Any late fees or penalties previously assessed
Special Consideration for Mileage Choice Program: Participants in the Mileage Choice program who are removing a vehicle must use plate surrender rather than deactivation. Surrendering plates ensures you will not be required to pay the remaining highway use fee balance for that vehicle.
Refund Application Process
Obtaining a registration fee refund requires submission of Form FMS 210 along with your physical license plates.
Step 1: Obtain and Complete Form FMS 210
Download and complete Form FMS 210 from the DMV website. Provide complete vehicle information, including plate number, title number, make, year, and registration expiration date. Enter your current mailing address and identification information accurately.
Step 2: Certify Your Application
Sign the certification section affirming that your vehicle has been sold, disposed of, or will not be operated on Virginia roads without proper registration. Both owners must sign if the vehicle has co-owners. If applying as executor, power of attorney, legal heir, or estate administrator, indicate your status and provide an appropriate signature.
Step 3: Submit Plates and Application
Mail your completed application along with both license plates to the address shown above, or deliver them in person to any customer service center. Ensure your mailing address on file with the DMV is current, as your refund check will be sent to that address.
Step 4: Receive Refund Payment
The DMV processes refund applications within 30 days and issues refund checks by mail. If you do not receive your refund within 30 days from your application date, contact:
DMV Refund Section
Financial Management Services
P.O. Box 25700
Richmond, VA 23260
Personal Property Tax Relief Information
Virginia localities assess personal property taxes on vehicles separately from state registration fees through county and city governments. Surrendering your license plates may affect your personal property tax liability depending on the specific circumstances and timing of your surrender.
Tax Relief Eligibility Requirements
Personal property tax relief eligibility varies significantly by locality. Generally, you may qualify for tax relief or adjustments if you surrendered your plates because you:
- Relocated your permanent residence to another state before the tax assessment date
- Sold, donated, or otherwise transferred ownership of the vehicle to another party
- Had your vehicle declared a total loss by your insurance company
- Reported your vehicle stolen to law enforcement without recovery
You typically do not qualify for personal property tax relief if you surrender your registration but continue to own the vehicle, or if you relocate to a different Virginia locality while retaining vehicle ownership.
Tax Relief Application Procedure
Personal property taxes are administered by your local city or county government, not by the Virginia DMV. Each locality establishes independent procedures for processing tax relief requests.
Application Process:
Contact your local commissioner of revenue or treasurer's office to request information about personal property tax relief procedures. Localities may refer to this as tax relief, tax abatement, or prorated tax adjustments.
Supporting Documentation:
Prepare documentation to support your tax relief request, which may include:
- Receipt or confirmation of plate surrender from DMV
- Bill of sale, title transfer documents, or other proof of ownership change
- Insurance company total loss settlement letter or declaration
- Law enforcement report documenting vehicle theft
- Documentation establishing your change of residence to another state
- New out-of-state vehicle registration certificate
Filing Deadlines: Each locality establishes specific deadlines for tax relief applications. Contact your local tax office promptly after surrendering plates to ensure you meet all applicable deadlines and requirements.
Additional Information: For comprehensive information about Virginia's personal property tax relief program for qualifying vehicles, visit the DMV personal property tax relief page.
Governing Laws and Regulations
Virginia vehicle registration and plate surrender procedures are established through state statutes administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles:
- Virginia Code § 46.2-646 establishes registration expiration and renewal requirements, including provisions for multi-year registration options and staggered renewal periods
- Virginia Code § 46.2-707 requires immediate surrender of license plates when a vehicle becomes uninsured and establishes penalties for operating uninsured vehicles
- Virginia Code § 58.1-3500 through § 58.1-3521 governs local personal property taxation of motor vehicles and establishes assessment procedures
Government Agencies
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
DMV Customer Service Centers in Major Cities
Virginia DMV operates full-service customer service centers throughout the state where you can surrender license plates in person and receive immediate processing. These locations accept plate surrenders during regular business hours without requiring appointments, though standard wait times apply.
Virginia Beach / Buckner DMV Customer Service Center
3551 Buckner Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453-5101
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Virginia Beach / Buckner DMV Customer Service Center
Norfolk / Military Circle DMV Customer Service Center
5745 Poplar Hall Drive, Norfolk, VA 23502-3813
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Norfolk / Military Circle DMV Customer Service Center
Chesapeake DMV Customer Service Center
813 Greenbrier Parkway, Chesapeake, VA 23320-3647
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Chesapeake DMV Customer Service Center
Richmond Central DMV Customer Service Center
2300 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23269
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Richmond Central DMV Customer Service Center
Newport News DMV Customer Service Center
12730 Patrick Henry Drive, Newport News, VA 23602-9515
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Newport News DMV Customer Service Center
Alexandria DMV Customer Service Center
2681 Mill Road, Alexandria, VA 22314-4680
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Alexandria DMV Customer Service Center
Hampton DMV Customer Service Center
8109 Roanoke Avenue, Hampton, VA 23605-1637
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Hampton DMV Customer Service Center
Roanoke DMV Customer Service Center
5220 Valleypark Drive, Roanoke, VA 24019
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Roanoke DMV Customer Service Center
Lynchburg DMV Customer Service Center
3236 Odd Fellows Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501-5012
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Lynchburg DMV Customer Service Center
Arlington DMV Customer Service Center
4150 South Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, VA 22206-1106
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Arlington DMV Customer Service Center
