How To Cancel Vehicle Registration Online in Tennessee in 2026

The Tennessee Department of Revenue supervises motor vehicle services statewide, with vehicle registration and titling transactions processed locally by county clerk offices in each of Tennessee's 95 counties. Tennessee does not operate an online vehicle registration cancellation system. Residents must terminate their vehicle registration by completing a cancellation form and submitting it electronically via email or by visiting their county clerk's office in person.

Terminating your registration removes your vehicle's legal authorization for highway operation in Tennessee. After completing cancellation, Tennessee law requires you to surrender your license plates, as plates follow the owner rather than the vehicle and must be returned or properly transferred when registration ends.

When Registration Cancellation May Be Needed

Tennessee residents encounter numerous situations requiring vehicle registration termination:

• Completing the sale of your vehicle to a private buyer or through dealership trade-in
• Transferring vehicle ownership to a family member or charitable organization through donation
• Moving your primary residence outside Tennessee to another state
• Returning a leased vehicle to the lessor upon lease agreement completion
• Delivering your vehicle to a scrap processor or salvage facility for final disposition
• Receiving a total loss determination from your insurance carrier
• Submitting a theft report to law enforcement without subsequent vehicle recovery
• Storing your vehicle for extended periods without maintaining insurance coverage
• Completing estate settlement procedures that include vehicle title transfer
• Withdrawing your vehicle from highway operation permanently
• Transferring your existing plates to a newly acquired vehicle

Available Cancellation Methods

Tennessee provides two approaches for terminating vehicle registration: electronic submission via email or in-person processing at county clerk offices. Online cancellation through a web portal is not available.

Electronic Cancellation by Email

Vehicle owners may submit registration cancellation electronically by completing the required form and emailing it to the Tennessee Department of Revenue Vehicle Services Division. This method offers convenience for residents unable to visit a county clerk's office during business hours.

Required Materials:

• Vehicle License Plates Cancellation Form completed in its entirety
• Clear explanation of the cancellation reason
• Contact information, including phone number and email address
• Vehicle identification details (year, make, model, VIN)
• Current registration information

Submission Procedure:

Download and complete the Vehicle License Plates Cancellation Form with all the requested information. Sign the certification statement acknowledging the accuracy of your information. Email the completed form to VS.CallCenter@tn.gov.

License Plate Handling:

In Tennessee, license plates belong to the registered owner rather than staying with the vehicle. Owners may transfer their plates to a different vehicle they own for a nominal $1 transfer fee.

Tennessee law requires the immediate destruction of license plates under specific circumstances:

• When you no longer qualify for a plate's eligibility requirements while your current vehicle registration remains valid
• When your plate becomes mutilated, damaged, or defaced to the extent that it fails to meet legal display requirements

To properly destroy plates, cut them into pieces or otherwise render them unusable before disposal.

In-Person Cancellation at County Clerk's Office

Residents may visit any Tennessee county clerk's office to process registration cancellation in person. This method provides immediate completion and allows residents to surrender their plates simultaneously with cancellation processing.

Required Materials:

• Current Tennessee license plates (physical surrender)
• Government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or alternative)
• Current vehicle registration certificate or renewal documentation
• Vehicle title certificate if available

Transaction Process:

Present your materials and license plates to a county clerk representative. The clerk will verify your identity, validate registration information, and process the cancellation through the state system. You will receive a cancellation confirmation document. Maintain this document for your insurance provider and personal records.

Plate Transfer Option:

Tennessee law permits license plate transfers between vehicles owned by the same individual for a $1 fee. If you plan to register another vehicle, inform the county clerk at the time of cancellation to explore plate transfer rather than complete cancellation. This option preserves your current plate number for use on your replacement vehicle.

Refund of Registration Fees

Tennessee law generally does not provide refunds for the unused portion of vehicle registration periods. The Tennessee Department of Revenue policy states that once registration tags are issued and the new registration period begins, those tags become non-refundable regardless of how long they remain in use.

Limited Refund Circumstances

Tennessee recognizes only specific circumstances that may qualify for registration fee refunds:

Unused New Registration Tags:

If you purchase new registration tags, but your previous registration has not yet expired, and you wish to return the newly purchased tags before they are placed into service, you may be eligible for a refund. This situation applies when registration is renewed early, and circumstances change before the new registration period begins. The refund request must be submitted before the new tags become effective.

Application or Processing Errors:

When the Tennessee Department of Revenue or a county clerk refuses or rejects a registration application due to errors or ineligibility, the registration fee paid may be refunded. This applies to situations where the transaction cannot be completed due to documentation issues, eligibility problems, or other administrative barriers discovered during processing.

Refund Application Procedure

Step 1: Determine Refund Eligibility

Contact the Tennessee Department of Revenue Vehicle Services Division to discuss your specific circumstances and determine whether you qualify for a registration fee refund. Provide details about your situation, registration dates, and reason for requesting a refund.

Step 2: Submit Documentation to State

If the department determines you qualify for a state portion refund, submit a written refund request including:

• Complete legal name and current mailing address
• Vehicle identification number and license plate number
• Registration effective date and fees paid
• Detailed explanation of the refund basis
• Copy of registration documentation
• Proof supporting your refund claim

Mail your refund request with supporting documentation to:

Tennessee Department of Revenue
Vehicle Services Division
500 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37242

Step 3: Request County Portion Refund

Tennessee registration fees include both state and county/local portions. The Department of Revenue refunds only the state portion of registration fees. If the department approves your refund, contact your county clerk's office separately to request a refund for the county/local portion of the registration fees. Each county establishes its own refund procedures for local fees.

Step 4: Processing and Payment

The department reviews refund requests and makes eligibility determinations according to Tennessee regulations. Approved refunds for the state portion are processed within 4-8 weeks. The department issues refund payments by check, mailed to the address provided in your request. County refund processing times vary by jurisdiction.

Governing Laws and Regulations

Tennessee vehicle registration cancellation procedures derive from state statutes and Department of Revenue administrative policies:

• Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-4-101 establishes vehicle registration requirements as a condition precedent to operation on Tennessee streets and highways
• Tennessee Code Annotated Title 55, Chapters 1-6 constitute the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Title and Registration Law governing all aspects of vehicle titling and registration throughout the state

Government Agencies

Tennessee Department of Revenue

Tennessee Department of Revenue
500 Deaderick Street, Nashville, TN 37242
Phone: (888) 253-0600
Official Website: Tennessee Department of Revenue

County Clerk Offices in Major Cities

Tennessee administers vehicle registration and titling through county clerk offices. The following county clerk locations serve Tennessee's largest metropolitan areas:

Davidson County Clerk (Nashville)
700 President Ronald Reagan Wy #101, Nashville, TN 37210
Phone: (615) 862-6251
Official Website: Davidson County Clerk

Shelby County Clerk (Memphis)
150 Washington Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-2300
Official Website: Shelby County Clerk

Knox County Clerk (Knoxville)
300 Main Street, Suite 109, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 215-2385
Official Website: Knox County Clerk

Hamilton County Clerk (Chattanooga)
625 Georgia Avenue, Room 103, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: (423) 209-6500
Official Website: Hamilton County Clerk

Rutherford County Clerk (Murfreesboro)
319 North Maple Street, Suite 121, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Phone: (615) 898-7800
Official Website: Rutherford County Clerk

Montgomery County Clerk (Clarksville)
350 Pageant Lane, Suite 502, Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 648-5711
Official Website: Montgomery County Clerk

Sumner County Clerk (Gallatin)
355 North Belvedere Drive, Room 111, Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-4063
Official Website: Sumner County Clerk

Williamson County Clerk (Franklin)
1320 West Main Street, Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 790-5712
Official Website: Williamson County Clerk

Wilson County Clerk (Lebanon)
228 East Main Street, Room 101, Lebanon, TN 37088
Phone: (615) 444-0314
Official Website: Wilson County Clerk

Sullivan County Clerk (Blountville)
3258 Highway 126, Suite 101, Blountville, TN 37617
Phone: (423) 323-6428
Official Website: Sullivan County Clerk