In Montana, license plates generally stay with the donor, not the donated vehicle. Remove both plates before the tow whenever you can. After the donation, contact your county treasurer or the Montana DMV to transfer the plates to another vehicle or ask how to surrender them if you will not use them. Keep any surrender receipt or transfer confirmation. Then file the notice of transfer/release of liability using our separate Release of Liability Guide.
What to do with your plates
Confirm the plate rule
Before the tow, confirm the current plate rule with your county treasurer or the state DMV. The usual rule here is that plates belong to the owner, but you should still verify before you hand off the vehicle. Ask whether your plates should be transferred, surrendered, stored, destroyed, or handled another way for your situation.
Remove plates before towing
Take off both plates before the car is towed, if your vehicle has two. Put them somewhere safe with your title copy, donation receipt, and any tow paperwork. Do not rely on the driver to remove them for you. If you cannot remove a rusted screw, ask for help before the vehicle leaves.
Transfer or surrender plates
If you plan to use the plates on your next vehicle, ask the county treasurer how to complete the transfer. If you will not use them, ask how the office wants them surrendered or disposed of. Follow the instruction you receive. Plate handling can affect registration records, so do this before you treat the vehicle paperwork as finished.
Keep your DMV receipt
Save the surrender receipt, transfer confirmation, or written instruction from the DMV or county treasurer. That proof helps show you handled the plates correctly. It may be needed to cancel the registration. In some situations, insurance companies may also ask for plate surrender proof before they allow penalty-free cancellation of coverage.
File the liability notice
After the vehicle is donated and the plates are handled, file the notice of transfer or release of liability. This is separate from plate surrender or plate transfer. Use Big Sky Rides’ separate Release of Liability Guide for that task. Keep a copy of the filing confirmation with your donation records.
If the tow already happened
If the vehicle left with plates still attached, act quickly but stay practical. Call Big Sky Rides and ask whether the plates can be retrieved from the vehicle or tow location. If retrieval is not possible, contact the DMV or your county treasurer and explain that the donated vehicle was removed with plates attached.
- Ask what record you should file.
- Ask whether replacement, surrender, or transfer steps apply.
- Write down the date, office, and instructions you received.
Common questions
Can I leave my plates on the donated car?
Usually, no. The safer task is to remove the plates before the tow because plates commonly belong to the owner, not the vehicle. Since plate rules are state-specific, confirm with the DMV or county treasurer if you are unsure. If the plates already left with the car, ask the office what to file next.
Should I cancel insurance before handling the plates?
Ask your insurer before canceling coverage. A plate surrender receipt or transfer confirmation can be important proof that the registration is being closed or changed. Some insurers may require that proof before they cancel without a penalty. Keep insurance active until you understand your insurer’s requirement.
What if I want to use the plates on another vehicle?
Do not throw the plates away. Remove them, keep them secure, and ask the county treasurer how to transfer them to your next eligible vehicle. Bring whatever ownership and registration documents the office requests. Keep the transfer confirmation with your donation file.
Is plate surrender the same as release of liability?
No. Plate surrender or transfer deals with the physical plates and registration record. A notice of transfer or release of liability deals with responsibility for the vehicle after donation. Complete both tasks if they apply, and keep proof of each in your records.
More donation prep guides
Before your donated vehicle leaves, make plates part of your final checklist: confirm the rule, remove the plates, transfer or surrender them as directed, keep proof, and file the liability notice. That protects your registration record after the donation. Big Sky Rides supports Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). If you are ready, start with the plate check and keep your paperwork together.