New York Drivers Can Replace Peeling License Plates for Free

If you drive in New York long enough, there’s a good chance you’ve seen it, or maybe you’re dealing with it yourself right now. License plates that are bubbling, peeling, fading, or completely falling apart for no obvious reason.

Over the last few years, peeling New York license plates has become a surprisingly common issue across the Hudson Valley and beyond. Some drivers have plates so worn down you can barely read the numbers anymore, and now the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is reminding drivers that they can actually replace those damaged plates.

The good news? In some cases, it can be done for free.

Replace Peeling License Plates for Free in New York

According to the DMV, if your license plates look like the one above and are peeling or faded (the plate was originally yellow), you can replace them and get a brand-new plate number at no cost.

Drivers simply need to send an email to the DMV with their current plate number in the subject line, along with their contact information and a photo showing the peeling or damaged plates.

The DMV says drivers should include:

• Name exactly as it appears on the registration
• Current mailing address
• City, state, and ZIP code
• Daytime phone number
• Peeling plate number
• A photo of the damaged plates

Once approved, the DMV will send new license plates along with a new registration and windshield sticker.

There is one catch though.

Pay to Keep Plate Number in New York

If you want to keep your current plate number, New York drivers will have to pay a $20 fee.

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To keep the same plate number, drivers need to complete the “Application for Replacement Plates – Keep Same Plate Number” form and mail it to the DMV’s Custom Plates Unit along with a photo of the peeling plates and a $20 check or money order made payable to the “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.”

The DMV says it can take about 4 to 6 weeks for replacement plates to arrive.

One important thing to remember is that once you submit a request by email for a free replacement plate with a new number, the request is considered final. Drivers cannot later request changes or ask to keep their old number after submitting the email request.

Don't Ingnore Peeling Plates

Lastly, if your plate is peeling, don’t ignore it. Damaged or unreadable plates can actually lead to a traffic ticket if police can’t clearly identify the plate number.