In South Carolina, the plates generally stay with you, not the donated vehicle. Remove every plate before the tow, and do not let the car leave with active plates unless the South Carolina DMV tells you otherwise. After pickup, either surrender the plates to the DMV to cancel the registration or transfer them to your next eligible vehicle. Keep the surrender receipt; it is your proof for registration cancellation and may be needed for penalty-free insurance cancellation.
What to do with your plates
Confirm the current DMV rule
Before the tow, check the latest SCDMV instructions for donated or transferred vehicles. RevLocal's working checklist is: the plate should not leave on the car unless the DMV instructs you otherwise. If you are at a DMV counter, ask whether you should surrender the plate now or transfer it to another vehicle. Do this before canceling insurance, and keep a note of the answer.
Remove plates before the tow
Take the plate off before the tow driver loads the vehicle. Put the plate, mounting screws, and any DMV paperwork in one folder or bag. If the vehicle is already loaded, ask the driver to pause so you can remove it safely. Do not leave an active plate in the glove box, trunk, or back seat after the vehicle leaves.
Surrender or transfer them
If you are not using the plate on another vehicle, surrender it through the DMV process available to you. If you are replacing the donated car, ask whether the plate can be transferred to the next eligible vehicle. Do not assume a transfer is automatic. Keep the title donation paperwork separate from the plate paperwork so nothing gets mailed to the wrong place.
Keep the surrender receipt
Ask for and keep the plate surrender receipt or confirmation. That receipt is your proof for canceling the registration. It is also sometimes a prerequisite to penalty-free insurance cancellation, because insurers may ask for proof that the vehicle is no longer registered with active plates. Store it with your donation receipt, DMV confirmation, and insurance cancellation records.
File the notice step
After you handle the plate, complete the notice step for the vehicle transfer. Use the separate RevLocal Notice of Transfer / Release of Liability Guide. Save a copy or confirmation with your plate surrender receipt. Treat these as two related records: one for plates and registration, and one for the transfer of responsibility after donation. Do not rely on the towing receipt alone.
Why plate rules differ
Plate advice is confusing because states use two general systems. In most states, plates belong to the donor. The donor removes them before the vehicle leaves, then surrenders them to the DMV or transfers them to another vehicle if allowed. In a minority of states, plates stay with the vehicle and are handled as part of the title or transfer process. For this donation, follow the rule in the quick answer and the latest DMV instructions, not a generic checklist from another state.
Common questions
What if the vehicle was towed with the plates still on?
Call RevLocal and the towing contact as soon as you notice. Ask whether the vehicle is still accessible and whether the plate can be removed. If it is not accessible, contact the DMV for the next plate-cancellation step. Do not cancel insurance until you know how the plate or registration will be handled.
Can I cancel insurance as soon as the car is picked up?
Do not use pickup alone as your trigger. First handle the plate and registration step, then ask your insurer what proof they need. The plate surrender receipt is commonly used to show that registration has been canceled or is being canceled, which can help avoid penalties tied to an active registration without insurance.
Do I give the plates to the tow driver?
No, not if the DMV rule says plates stay with you. Remove the plate before the tow and keep it under your control until you surrender or transfer it. A tow driver may move the vehicle, but that does not make the driver responsible for your plate paperwork.
Can I transfer the plate to another car?
Possibly. Transfers depend on DMV eligibility rules for the plate, the vehicle, and the registered owner. Ask before you surrender the plate if you want to reuse it. If transfer is not available, surrender the plate and keep the receipt with your donation records.
More donation prep guides
Once the plate is removed, surrendered or transferred, and your notice step is filed, your plate paperwork is in order. Keep all confirmations in one folder with your title and donation documents. RevLocal helps donors complete the vehicle-donation process benefiting Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). If you are unsure which plate step applies, pause and confirm before the vehicle leaves.