The department is hereby authorized to take possession of any certificate of title, registration certificate, permit, license or registration plate issued by it upon expiration, revocation, cancellation or suspension thereof, or which is fictitious, or which has been unlawfully or erroneously issued, and the department or any agent thereof is authorized to take possession and custody of any registration plate found attached to any motor vehicle for which it was not issued, or when any other unlawful use is being made thereof. Expiration, revocation, cancellation or suspension of a certificate of title does not, in itself, affect the validity of a security interest noted on it.