Quick Summary:
- Call 911 for threats, otherwise contact NYPD and file a report.
- Notify your car hire provider immediately, request written driving guidance.
- Photograph damage, note time and location, keep all paperwork and receipts.
- Avoid driving without plates, ask about temporary tags or replacement vehicle.
Number plates get stolen in New York City more often than visitors expect, especially from street-parked vehicles and unattended lots. For anyone using car hire in New York, this can quickly become stressful because plates are tied to tolling systems, parking enforcement, and the rental company’s registration. The good news is there is a clear order of operations that protects you, limits liability, and helps you dispute incorrect tolls or tickets later.
This step-by-step checklist focuses on four priorities: your safety, an official police report, immediate rental company notification, and documentation that proves when and where the theft happened. If you are collecting a vehicle at an airport location such as car rental New York JFK or arriving via New Jersey and driving into the city from car rental airport Newark EWR, the process is essentially the same once you are in NYC.
1) Safety first, confirm it is theft and not a tow
Before you start making calls, check for immediate safety issues. If you suspect someone is nearby tampering with the vehicle, or you feel threatened, call 911. If the situation is calm, confirm it is truly a plate theft rather than a towing or impound situation.
In NYC, a tow is usually accompanied by signage, missing vehicle, or a tow notice. If the vehicle is still present and only the front, rear, or both plates are missing, that points to theft. Also check the boot area, inside the vehicle, and around the parking spot in case the plate has fallen off after a minor impact.
Do a quick walkaround and take photos immediately. Photograph the front and rear bumpers, the mounting points, any scratches, and the street sign or garage marker showing exactly where you were parked. This time-stamped evidence becomes important for toll and parking disputes.
2) Where to report in NYC, NYPD options and what to ask for
For stolen number plates in NYC, you generally report to the NYPD. If you are not in immediate danger, use the local precinct for the area where the theft occurred, or call 311 to be directed. In some cases you may be able to submit details online, but a precinct report is often the most useful for a car hire situation because the rental company may require a complaint number and a printed report.
When you make the report, provide: the rental vehicle’s make, model, colour, and VIN if you have it, the plate number if you have it, your rental agreement number, the exact location, and the best estimate of the time window when the theft happened. If only one plate is missing, say which one. If there is damage to the bumper or plate bracket, mention it.
Ask for the complaint number before you leave or end the call, and ask how to obtain a copy of the report. Some precincts provide a printed report later rather than on the spot. If you cannot get the full report immediately, at least obtain written confirmation of the complaint number and the date and time filed.
3) Contact your rental company immediately, what to say and what to request
After the NYPD report is initiated, notify the rental company right away using the emergency number on your rental paperwork or the number in the rental app. Explain that the number plates were stolen in NYC and you have filed, or are filing, a police report. Give them the complaint number as soon as you have it.
Be specific in your questions and request answers in writing, either by email or in-app message. Ask:
Can I legally drive this vehicle right now? In most cases you should not drive without plates, and you may be more likely to be stopped.
Do you want me to stay put, come to a branch, or exchange the vehicle? Many rental companies will prefer a vehicle swap because it avoids registration and enforcement complications.
Will you issue temporary documentation, and what should I keep in the car? If they provide a temporary operating permit or written authorisation, keep it with the rental agreement.
How will you handle tolls and tickets that might occur after the theft time? Ask what proof they need from you to dispute charges.
If you arranged your vehicle via a landing page such as Hertz car rental New York JFK or you are travelling as a family and used a larger vehicle option like minivan rental New York JFK, the steps are the same. The key is that the rental company must be looped in early because the plates belong to the owner of the vehicle, not to you.
4) Can you drive in NYC without plates, practical reality for car hire
In New York State, displaying number plates is not optional. Driving without plates can attract police attention, and it can also cause problems at bridges, tunnels, and parking garages that use plate recognition. Even if the theft was not your fault, being on the road without plates can lead to a stop, a summons, or a situation that delays your trip.
For car hire drivers, the safest approach is: do not drive until the rental company tells you to do so and you have clear guidance. If you must move the vehicle for safety, for example to leave an unsafe location, keep the distance minimal and go directly to a well-lit, staffed facility, ideally a nearby police precinct or the rental location if instructed.
Also remember that some tolling systems will not capture plate data if plates are missing, but that does not guarantee you will avoid toll charges. Many rental companies rely on multiple sources and may still receive toll notices if the plate is misused on another vehicle or if the theft occurred after you travelled through toll points. Your documentation is what protects you.
5) Preserve evidence for tolls, parking tickets, and congestion charges
The main financial risk after a plate theft is misattributed charges. Stolen plates can be used on a different vehicle, which can generate tolls, parking violations, red-light tickets, or automated enforcement notices. Your goal is to build a simple timeline that can be verified.
Keep the following documentation together, preferably in a single folder on your phone and a backup in email:
Photos and video of the missing plates, any damage, and the surroundings, including street signs and the nearest address number.
Police report details, including complaint number, date and time filed, precinct name, and any officer or desk reference you were given.
Rental documents, including the rental agreement, vehicle registration copy if provided, and the rental company’s written instructions.
Location proof such as parking receipts, garage tickets, hotel confirmation, and timestamped photos from the same time window.
Travel timeline notes: when you parked, when you next returned, and who was with you.
Communications log showing when you called the rental company, who you spoke to, and any case number they open.
If later you receive a charge that appears after the theft time window, you can provide the police complaint number and your evidence to the rental company so they can challenge it with the issuing authority. Do not ignore mailed notices. Rental companies often have response deadlines, and delays can turn disputes into collections.
6) Parking and securing the vehicle while you wait
Once you have discovered the theft, think about where the car will sit until you receive clear instructions. If the vehicle is on the street, consider moving it only if the rental company or police advise it, or if staying creates a safety risk. If you do move it, park in a well-lit, staffed garage with attendants and cameras, and keep the receipt.
Do not leave the vehicle in a location where it may be ticketed for missing plates. A ticket issued while you are waiting can complicate the story, even if you later successfully dispute it.
Also check whether the theft involved other items. If a registration sticker was taken, or if there is evidence of attempted entry, report that too. Number plate theft is sometimes paired with other fraud, and it is useful for the rental company and police to have a complete record.
7) What to do if only one plate is missing
Sometimes thieves take only the rear plate because it is most useful for tolling and cameras. Even if one plate remains, treat it as a serious issue. Photograph both ends of the car to show what is present and what is missing. Tell the rental company exactly which plate was stolen, and follow their guidance about driving.
Do not try to “improvise” by moving the remaining plate to the rear or displaying a photocopy. That can create new legal issues. Stick to the official process: police report, rental company instructions, and replacement or vehicle exchange.
8) If you are stopped by police before the issue is resolved
If you are stopped, stay calm and be transparent. Provide your driving licence, rental agreement, and the police complaint number if you have it. Explain that the plates were stolen, you have reported it, and you are following the rental company’s instructions to resolve it. If you have an email or message from the rental company telling you where to take the car, show it.
Do not argue roadside about tolls or future tickets. Focus on compliance and on moving to the resolution location. If you do not have the complaint number yet, explain when and where you reported, and offer any reference details you were given.
9) After you swap the vehicle or receive replacement plates
Once the rental company resolves the situation, ask them to confirm in writing: the date and time they recorded the theft, whether they will flag the plate as stolen, and how they will handle incoming tolls or violations linked to the stolen plate. Keep a copy of the vehicle exchange paperwork if you swap cars.
For the remainder of your New York trip, park strategically. Choose garages with attendants where possible, avoid leaving the vehicle in isolated areas overnight, and take quick photos of the plates when you park in high-risk areas so you can prove they were present at that time.
If you began your journey outside New York City, for example picking up near Newark via car rental New Jersey EWR, remember that crossing jurisdictions can complicate where tickets are issued. Your documentation is the common thread that makes disputes easier, regardless of which agency generates the notice.
FAQ
Who do I call in NYC if my rental car number plates are stolen? If there is danger or an active crime, call 911. Otherwise contact NYPD via the local precinct where it happened, or call 311 for guidance, and then notify your rental company immediately.
What should I file, and what information will I need? File a police report for stolen plates and obtain a complaint number. Bring the rental agreement details, plate number if known, vehicle description, location, and the time window when the theft occurred.
Can I drive a car hire vehicle in New York without number plates? It is strongly recommended you do not drive until the rental company instructs you. Driving without plates can lead to a stop and may create toll and parking complications.
How do I dispute tolls or parking tickets that appear after the theft? Keep photos of the missing plates, the police complaint number, parking receipts, and a timeline. Send this to the rental company promptly so they can challenge misattributed charges within deadlines.
Should I try to replace the plates myself? No. For a rental vehicle, number plates and registration are the owner’s responsibility. Follow the rental company’s process, which usually involves a vehicle swap or official replacement.
