I am not sure how this works in the states but in Canada the tickets are not against your plate but against your actual drivers license and your name. The plate is only a visual aid for police officers to know that your car is registered. I think the whole license plate idea itself is a money scheme but on the other hand it is supposed to help with the upkeep of your city, so afaik it helps pay the city workers. But who am I, I could be totally wrong.

In the US, I’m willing to bet that most states will run your plate when you surrender it, and will try to collect the fines.

@nofurbelowsbatgirl – The plate is used for parking violations – since they can’t necessarily say who parked the car if that person isn’t present. Similarly, the cameras that track toll plaza and traffic light violations also go against the plate, and then the registered owner is ticketed. They can go to court to contest if someone else was driving the vehicle though.

In the states I have lived in and registered motor vehicles, the registration includes a check of unpaid taxes and outstanding tickets by name on registration. There is no free lunch!

The vehicle may not be able to be sold or transferred.