What do repossession companies with the license plates on repossessed cars?

When a repossession company takes possession of a vehicle, they are required to take the license plates off the car and return them to the DMV. This is because the license plates are the property of the state, and they cannot be transferred to another vehicle. The repossession company will then issue the vehicle a temporary license plate, which will allow the vehicle to be driven to the repossession company's lot.