Title to the new vehicle
Titled in your name first at the County Clerk of Courts.
Printable guide
Plate Transfer Checklist
Use this when moving your plates from one vehicle you own to another at an official DMV or BMV office.
independent DMV and BMV information guide Verify requirements with the official DMV or BMV before you visit.
Bring these
Bring to transfer your plates
Current registration
For the vehicle the plates are coming from, plus the plate number.
Photo ID
Ohio driver license or state ID.
Proof of Ohio insurance
Current insurance for the new vehicle.
Payment
The $9.00 transfer fee plus any registration-fee difference and permissive tax.
Decision point
Know the transfer rules
Same owner only
Plates move between vehicles owned by the same person, not between people. Spouse transfers may be allowed, ask official staff.
Keep your number
A transfer carries your plate number and remaining registration time to the new vehicle.
Fee difference
Moving to a higher registration class, like car to light truck, can mean paying the difference.
At the visit
Simple steps
- Title the new vehicle in your name at the County Clerk of Courts.
- Gather your title, old registration, ID, and insurance.
- Complete the BMV 4809 transfer application and pay at an official DMV or BMV office.
- Put the plates on the new vehicle and keep the updated registration card in it.
Avoid a return trip
- Do not try to transfer plates to another person or a vehicle you do not own.
- Do not drive the new vehicle on un-transferred plates past the roughly 30-day window.
- Do not arrive before the new vehicle's title is in your name.