Question about what an officer told me today in regards to my license plates…

Today I was pulled over for having my license plates in my front/rear windshields instead of mounted on my car, and I’m confused about what he instructed me to do.

Background: a few years ago, someone stole my license plates by physically ripping them off my car, tearing out the holes where you would mount them. This was reported, the plates were cancelled, and new ones were issued. Since the mounts were ruined, I keep the plates visible but inside my windows.

After he pulled me over, he confirmed that the plates were indeed registered to me, and I hadn’t done anyone wrong, but told me I needed to get rid of them and contact the DOL for new plates.

I’m guessing there was some confusion, as I told him the plates were inside my car because of a previous theft.

Is it possible he thought my current plates were actually the old plates? I cant for the life of me figure out why he told me to get new plates.

Edit: thanks for the helpful responses. Ill call the DOL tomorrow to clear it up.