In Ontario, handling your plates correctly after scrapping a vehicle is not optional. It’s a legal requirement, and skipping it can leave you on the hook for fees, fines, and headaches long after your car is gone. This guide explains exactly what you need to do, why it matters, and how to handle every scenario whether you’re keeping the plates, transferring them, or returning them for good.
Why License Plates in Ontario Belong to You, Not Your Car
In Ontario, license plates are legally tied to the owner, not the vehicle. When you buy a new car, you don’t get new plates you bring your existing plates from your old vehicle, or you purchase plates and keep them as yours. When you sell or scrap a vehicle, the plates stay with you.
What this means in practice is that if your scrap car is towed away with the plates still attached, those plates remain legally linked to your name in government records.
What to do with License Plates
Step 1 – Remove the Plates Before Pickup
Both Ontario plates front and rear must be removed by you. Scrapyards are not permitted to keep, destroy, or process your license plates. They handle the vehicle; the plates are your responsibility.
- Grab a standard Phillips-head or flathead screwdriver (check your plate screws — most Ontario plates use Phillips-head).
- Start with the rear plate first, loosening the screws gently if they’re rusted or tight.
- Remove both plates and store them flat somewhere safe — inside your home, not in the vehicle.
- If screws are corroded and won’t budge, a small amount of penetrating oil (like WD-40) left for a few minutes will usually free them.
This takes under five minutes. Do it before the tow truck arrives so nothing gets rushed or forgotten.
Step 2 -Decide What to Do With Your Plates
Once the plates are off the car, you have three options. Which one is right for you depends on your situation.
Return the Plates to ServiceOntario
If you’re not buying another vehicle soon, returning your plates to a ServiceOntario location is the cleanest and most straightforward option. When you return your plates, ServiceOntario officially deactivates them in the province’s system. This closes the vehicle record under your name, confirms you are no longer responsible for that registration, and eliminates any risk of the plates being misused.
You may also be eligible for a partial refund. Ontario issues refunds on unused portions of paid registration, calculated by full months remaining. Partial months are not eligible. The refund is typically issued by cheque mailed to your address on file. Business-registered vehicles are not eligible for refunds.
Transfer the Plates to Your Next Vehicle
If you’re buying a new car or already have one you can transfer your existing plates directly to it. This is a common choice because it saves time and avoids having to get new plates issued.
Ontario plates don’t expire as long as they remain valid and are kept in good condition, so there’s no urgency to rush the transfer. That said, it’s best to handle it within a reasonable timeframe rather than leaving the plates sitting in a drawer indefinitely.
Retain Personalized Plates
If you have personalized (custom) license plates, the rules are the same but the stakes are higher. Personalized plates are directly linked to you as the owner and carry a monetary value since you paid for the custom combination.
Never leave personalized plates on a vehicle being scrapped. Once the vehicle leaves your property, recovering the plates becomes very difficult. Even if you contact the scrapyard, the vehicle may already be in processing.
Step 3 – Cancel Your Vehicle Registration
Whether you return your plates or transfer them, you need to officially cancel the registration on the scrapped vehicle. This is a separate step from the plate return. Cancelling registration tells ServiceOntario that the vehicle is permanently off the road not just that the plates have been removed. It clears the vehicle from your record entirely and prevents future renewal notices.
How to cancel registration:
- Visit any ServiceOntario location in person with your vehicle permit (ownership documents).
- Request a vehicle registration cancellation for the scrapped vehicle.
- Provide the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) if asked.
- Keep the cancellation confirmation receipt.
Step 4 – Cancel Your Insurance
Once the vehicle is scrapped and registration is cancelled, contact your insurance provider to cancel or adjust your coverage. Do not cancel insurance before the vehicle is picked up. You want the vehicle covered until it physically leaves your property. Once pickup is confirmed and you have your cash, call your insurer the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the scrapyard take my license plates?
No. Ontario scrapyards cannot accept, retain, or destroy license plates. They are legally your property and your responsibility. If a scrapyard offers to handle your plates, decline.
What if I forget to remove my plates before pickup?
Contact the scrapyard immediately. If the vehicle hasn’t yet been processed, they may be able to retrieve the plates for you. If it has, you’ll need to contact ServiceOntario, report the situation, and request cancellation of the plate record directly.
Do I need to return both front and rear plates?
Yes. Ontario requires two plates on registered vehicles both must be removed and returned or transferred.
Can I mail my plates back to ServiceOntario?
In-person return is the standard process for Ontario plates. Mailing is not the typical recommended method. Visit a ServiceOntario location to ensure the cancellation is processed correctly and to receive your confirmation.
What if my plates are bent, cracked, or damaged?
If your plates are in poor condition, ServiceOntario can exchange them at no cost. This is useful if you plan to transfer them to a new vehicle and want legible, presentable plates.
The Bottom Line
Scrapping your car in Mississauga is a fast, straightforward process and so is handling your license plates afterward. The entire plate return or transfer at ServiceOntario takes less than 15 minutes. It closes your legal and insurance record cleanly, protects you from any risk of fraud or liability, and may even put a small refund back in your pocket.