License plates in Colorado belong to the owner and do not transfer to a buyer upon the sale of a vehicle. Plates should be removed upon sale.

Effective January 1, 2023, non-personalized green and white license plates cannot be transferred. The remaining credit can still be applied when registering a new or different vehicle. 

The following information briefly explains what is required to register a vehicle once titled.  For information related to titling a vehicle, see our Purchasing a Vehicle page.

When a vehicle is purchased, there are four choices for licensing.

1. Obtain new plates. Current plate options are available here.
2. If you have sold a vehicle registered with non-personalized green and white plates, you may request that the unused portion of registration fees be transferred to your new vehicle. The following is required:
   • The ownership tax receipt or registration from the old vehicle
   • Obtain new plates. Current plate options are available here.
3. If you have sold a vehicle registered with personalized green and white plates or specialty plates, you may request that the plates and used portion of registration fees be transferred to your new vehicle. The following is required:
   • The ownership tax receipt or registration from the old vehicle to receive credit
   • Retain the current license plates from the old vehicle 
4. You may request personalized plates for your new vehicle to retain the current plate number. The following is required:
   • The ownership tax receipt or registration from the old vehicle
   • The license plates from the old vehicle must be surrendered at the time of the transaction
   • Current plate options are available here.
   • Additional fees apply

Please note: License plates and credit may be transferred only when the names indicating ownership are the same on the old and the new vehicle. There are several exceptions to this rule, so if you have questions, please contact our office at (970) 498-7878.

• Upon registration a set of two license plates and two tabs will be issued to be placed on the rear license plate.
• One tab, which indicates the month of expiration, should be placed in the lower left corner of the rear plate.
• The second tab, which indicates the year of expiration, should be placed in the lower right corner of the rear plate.

License plates are issued in numerical sequence and requests for a specific number cannot be honored.

License plate renewal can be done one month before the month indicated by your license tab, during the month indicated by your license tab or one month after your expiration month. For example, tabs indicating an expiration of July may be renewed during June, July, or August.

Proof of insurance is required before our office can register any passenger car, motor home, bus, or motorcycle. See insurance requirements.

Emissions tests are required:

• Vehicles registered within designated areas of Larimer County
• When a vehicle is registered outside an Emissions area and commutes to the Emissions area for employment or school attendance.
  • Please see the Air Care Colorado website for information.

Several factors determine the cost of vehicle registration. Visit the Registration Fees and Estimates page for more information.