Connecticut license plate transfers allow you to move your existing plate to a newly acquired vehicle, receiving a credit toward the new registration for unused months on the old registration. Connecticut plates stay with the owner when a vehicle is sold. Transfers are processed through the Connecticut DMV, AAA offices, or Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union locations. Connecticut’s transfer process also gives you an equity credit for the unused portion of your registration.
Does Connecticut Allow You to Transfer a License Plate to a New Vehicle?
Yes. Connecticut allows 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. Connecticut provides an equity credit – the credit equals the remaining registration fee for unused full months – which reduces the cost of registering your new vehicle.
How Do You Transfer a License Plate in Connecticut?
Connecticut plate transfers are processed at any Connecticut DMV office, AAA location, or Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union. You receive a credit for unused months on your old registration.
- Remove your plates from the vehicle you are selling. Connecticut plates stay with the owner.
- Write a bill of sale for the buyer if selling privately.
- Visit any Connecticut DMV office, AAA location, or Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union with all required documents.
- Present your plates and the title or registration for the new vehicle.
- The DMV calculates your equity credit – the unused full months of registration on your old plates.
- Pay the difference between your new vehicle’s registration fee and your equity credit, plus the applicable plate fee and other fees.
- Receive updated registration for the new vehicle using your transferred plates.
What Documents Do You Need to Transfer a Plate in Connecticut?
Have these documents ready for a Connecticut plate transfer.
- Valid Connecticut driver’s license or state ID
- Title for the new vehicle or bill of sale if title is not yet available
- Current registration card showing the plate you are transferring
- The physical license plates
- Proof of current Connecticut liability insurance for the new vehicle
- Payment for transfer fees and any remaining registration balance after equity credit
How Much Does It Cost to Transfer a License Plate in Connecticut?
Connecticut’s equity credit system makes plate transfers cost-effective. The credit reduces what you pay for the new registration.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Registration fee for new vehicle (before equity credit) | $40/year for passenger vehicles |
| Equity credit for unused months | Calculated by DMV: remaining full months divided by 12, multiplied by annual fee |
| Plate fee | $7.00 |
| Administrative fee | $10.00 |
| Clean Air Act fee (gasoline vehicles) | $15.00 per 2-year period |
| Passport to Parks fee | $24.00 per year (effective July 1, 2025) |
| Convenience fee (AAA or Nutmeg SFCU) | Up to $8.00 additional |
Can You Transfer a Personalized or Specialty Plate in Connecticut?
Connecticut specialty plates can be transferred to a new vehicle of the same class. The equity credit calculation applies to specialty plate registrations as well. Contact the Connecticut DMV at (860) 263-5700 or check portal.ct.gov/dmv for specific specialty plate transfer procedures.
What Happens to the Old Registration When You Transfer a Plate in Connecticut?
When you transfer your plates to a new vehicle in Connecticut, the registration on your old vehicle is cancelled. The buyer of your old vehicle cannot use your plates – they must obtain new plates. Your equity credit for unused months carries forward to offset the registration cost of your new vehicle. Count only full calendar months remaining when estimating your credit.
Can You Transfer a License Plate to Someone Else in Connecticut?
No. Connecticut plates cannot be transferred to a different owner. Transfers are only allowed between vehicles of the same owner. When selling your vehicle, remove your plates. The buyer registers the vehicle with new plates.
What Happens If You Sell Your Car – Do the Plates Stay With the Vehicle?
Connecticut plates stay with the owner. Remove your plates from the vehicle when selling. Write a bill of sale for the buyer. The buyer must register the vehicle at the DMV with new plates. You take your equity credit with you to apply toward your new vehicle’s registration.
Is There a Deadline to Complete a Plate Transfer in Connecticut?
Connecticut does not specify a strict plate transfer deadline for existing residents changing vehicles. However, you should complete the transfer before your current registration expires or before operating the new vehicle without valid registration. New residents have specific registration deadlines – confirm with the Connecticut DMV.
What Should You Do If You Don’t Want to Transfer the Plate?
If you sell your vehicle and do not purchase a replacement, you may surrender your plates to the Connecticut DMV and request a refund of the second year of a two-year registration. A refund request must be made by mail to the DMV. Contact the DMV at portal.ct.gov/dmv for the current refund procedure.