What is the appropriate action to take if vehicle plates are stolen?

When vehicle plates are stolen, the appropriate action is to file a police report and submit it with the replacement request. This step is crucial because it provides an official record of the theft, which can be necessary for various legal and administrative processes afterward. The police report serves as proof of the theft and can protect the vehicle owner from any liability for actions taken with the stolen plates, such as traffic violations or accidents.

Additionally, submitting the police report along with a request for replacement plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) streamlines the process of obtaining new plates, ensuring that the theft is documented formally. This is critical to prevent misuse of the stolen plates and to maintain accurate vehicle registration records.

Notifying the insurance company alone does not address the need for immediate action to replace the stolen plates or to inform law enforcement, which is vital for public safety and legal purposes. Cancelling the registration may not be the best course of action since the plates may be recovered, and the vehicle can still be in use. Waiting for a period before taking action is not advisable, as immediate reporting helps mitigate the risk of the stolen plates being used for illegal activities.