My vehicle plates were lost, stolen or destroyed. What can I do? 
You must surrender the vehicle registration to the DMV. If two vehicle plates are lost, stolen or destroyed (or one plate if the vehicle was issued only one plate, e.g. motorcycles), you need to notify the police, and ask the police to complete a police report. Bring police report to a DMV office [1] to surrender the vehicle registration. if the plates were lost, stolen or destroyed in New York State, ask a NY State police agency to complete a' Certification of Lost License, Permit or Plates' MV-78B this form is only available from law enforcement - it is on the DMV website if the plates were lost, stolen or destroyed outside of NY State , get a report printed on the letterhead of a police agency in the state where the incident happened If you cannot get a police report , write a statement that includes your plate number and explains why you cannot surrender your NY State plates. If one plate from a set of two plates is lost, stolen or destroyed , you don t need to complete a police report. Bring the plate you have to a DMV office to surrender the registration. However , if you would like to replace your plates without paying a fee , you must submit a police report or an MV-78B indicating the plate was stolen or destroyed as a result of a crime. 

How can I get new plates? 
You may request a new set of plates at a DMV office. Bring these items with you : the original plate or the MV-78B / police report / statement a completed Vehicle Registration / Title Application PDF [2] MV-82 proof of insurance 1 proof of your identity 2 Print this checklist [3 ] The DMV will issue you a new registration and replacement plates. If the plate were lost or destroyed , you will need to pay for the new plates, and a fee of $3.75 to issue a new registration. The fee for plates are $ 25 for a set of 2 plates $ 12.50 for a vehicle that is only issued one plate ; e.g. motorcycles) You don't need to pay a fee to replace s

user: I had an accident in which the plate on my van was completely destroyed. Can you help me figure out what to do?

assistant: Of course. First, you must surrender the vehicle registration to the DMV.

assistant: Were two vehicle plates are lost, stolen or destroyed?

user: Yes. Well, this is a bit awkward, but the crash happened between two of my registered vehicles, which I use for my company. A van and a car. None of the plates can be read anymore.

assistant: Then you need to notify the police, and ask the police to complete a police report. Bring the police report to a DMV office to surrender the vehicle registration.

user: That's good to know. However, there is another issue. The accident happened outside of NY. Both vehicles were crashing on the yard of a contractor. What should I do in this case?

assistant: You should get a report printed on the letterhead of a police agency in the state where the incident happened.

user: What if I can't get a police report? What do I do then?

assistant: In that case you must write a statement that includes your plate number and explains why you can not surrender your NY State plates.

user: Alright, but if I DO get a report I can bring it to the DMV office, right?

assistant: Yes. Bring the police report to a DMV office to surrender the vehicle registration.