MS HB1223

Vehicle owners who trade in a vehicle to a dealer when purchasing a new vehicle may retain and use the old license plate on the newly purchased vehicle, provided the plate is the same series, authorized for that vehicle type, and issued in the same county where the new vehicle will be registered

When selling or transferring a vehicle privately, the seller may retain and use the license plate on another vehicle they are registering for the first time, subject to the same requirements: matching plate series, authorized vehicle type, and same county of registration

Current law requires sellers to surrender license plates to the issuing authority for credit toward taxes on another vehicle; this bill adds the alternative option of direct plate reuse without surrendering

The bill amends Mississippi Code Sections 27-19-63 and 27-19-141 governing motor vehicle registration and license plate transfer procedures

Effective date: July 1, 2026