Frequently Asked Questions
Vehicle & License Plates → Refunds and Credits
If I sell my vehicle and do not replace it, do I get a refund for the unused portion of my registration renewal payment?
If you sell a vehicle and do not replace it, you may apply for a refund. The following is required:
- You have up to six months after you sell your vehicle to apply for a refund.
- The calculated unused portion of the registration fee must be $10 or more to receive a refund. The refund is calculated from the date the vehicle is sold to the expiration of the registration.
- The license plates and Claim for Refund Form must be submitted to the County Treasurer.
- The Claim for Refund form is submitted to the State of Iowa by the County Treasurer. The refund will take approximately four weeks to process.
If I sell my vehicle, can I use the same plates on my new vehicle?
To use your old license plates you must sell, trade, or junk your vehicle before you buy another vehicle. You have 30 days in which to use those plates on your new vehicle, and any registration fee remaining on the old vehicle will be applied as credit to the new vehicle.
- Any unused portion of the registration fee would be considered excess credit and must be greater than $10 to receive a refund.
- The refund is calculated from the month the vehicle is registered to the expiration of the registration. Claim for Refund Form
- The plate number and VIN of the vehicle sold shall be listed on the Iowa Application for Title and/or Registration.
If I move out-of-state and register my vehicle in the other state, do I get a refund for the unused portion of my registration payment?
Yes. If you can prove your vehicle is registered in the other state a refund will be issued on the unused portion of the registration payment.
- You have up to six months to apply for a refund from the time you register your vehicle in the other state.
- The calculated unused portion of the registration fee must be $10.00 or more to receive a refund.
- Your Iowa plates, a copy of the out-of-state registration, and the Claim for Refund Form must be submitted to the County Treasurer.
