Colorado license plate transfers allow you to move your existing plate from one vehicle to another when you sell your old vehicle and buy a new one. Colorado plates stay with the owner when a vehicle is sold. Transfers are processed at your county motor vehicle office. Colorado law requires you to complete a Release of Liability within 5 days of selling a vehicle — this can be done online at myDMV.colorado.gov.
Does Colorado Allow You to Transfer a License Plate to a New Vehicle?
Yes. Colorado allows license plate transfers between vehicles of the same class owned by the same person. When you sell your vehicle, remove your plates and transfer them to your new vehicle at your county motor vehicle office for a fee. You may also receive a credit toward your new registration for the unexpired portion of your old registration.
How Do You Transfer a License Plate in Colorado?
Colorado plate transfers are processed at your county motor vehicle office. The Release of Liability can be completed online at myDMV.colorado.gov.
- Remove your plates from the vehicle you are selling. Colorado plates stay with the owner.
- Complete the Release of Liability online at myDMV.colorado.gov within 5 days of the sale.
- Obtain the title for your new vehicle. For dealer purchases, wait for the title complete notice postcard before registering.
- Visit your county motor vehicle office with all required documents.
- Present your plates for transfer to the new vehicle.
- Pay the applicable transfer fee plus any difference in Specific Ownership Tax (SOT) for the new vehicle.
- If you want to receive credit for unexpired registration on your old vehicle, you must visit the county office in person — this cannot be done online.
What Documents Do You Need to Transfer a Plate in Colorado?
Have these ready before visiting your county office.
- Valid Colorado driver’s license or state ID
- Title for the new vehicle (or title complete notice for dealer purchases)
- Proof of current Colorado liability insurance for the new vehicle
- The physical license plates you are transferring
- Release of Liability confirmation for the sold vehicle (done online at myDMV.colorado.gov)
- Payment for transfer fee and new vehicle SOT and registration fees
How Much Does It Cost to Transfer a License Plate in Colorado?
Colorado plate transfer fees vary by plate type.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard passenger plate transfer set (2 plates) | $10.46 (same as replacement fee) |
| Specific Ownership Tax (SOT) on new vehicle | Based on vehicle MSRP and age — major variable cost |
| Keep Colorado Wild Pass (optional) | $29.00 |
| Release of Liability filing | Free — online at myDMV.colorado.gov |
Can You Transfer a Personalized or Specialty Plate in Colorado?
Colorado specialty and personalized plates can be transferred to a new vehicle of the same class. Contact your county motor vehicle office or check dmv.colorado.gov for specific plate type transfer procedures and any additional fees.
What Happens to the Old Registration When You Transfer a Plate in Colorado?
When you sell your vehicle, file the Release of Liability within 5 days at myDMV.colorado.gov. This removes your liability for the vehicle in Colorado’s system. If you are transferring your plates to a new vehicle and want credit for the unexpired portion of your old registration, this must be handled in person at your county motor vehicle office.
Can You Transfer a License Plate to Someone Else in Colorado?
No. Colorado plates are not transferable between different owners. Only the same owner can transfer plates between their vehicles. When selling to another person, remove your plates and allow them to obtain new registration.
What Happens If You Sell Your Car — Do the Plates Stay With the Vehicle?
Colorado plates stay with the owner. Remove your plates when selling your vehicle and file the Release of Liability online within 5 days. Transfer your plates to your new vehicle at the county office. If retaining the unexpired registration credit, do this in person — it cannot be processed online.
Is There a Deadline to Complete a Plate Transfer in Colorado?
Colorado requires new residents to register their vehicle within 90 days of establishing residency. For existing Colorado residents purchasing a new vehicle, registration (including plate transfer) should be completed before your current registration expires or within 60 days of purchase if it is a new vehicle. Late fees of $25 per month up to $100 apply.
What Should You Do If You Don’t Want to Transfer the Plate?
If you sell your vehicle and do not replace it, you may keep your plates or surrender them to your county motor vehicle office. File the Release of Liability regardless. If you want to receive a prorated refund of unused SOT, contact your county motor vehicle office — refunds are available in some circumstances.