Are Used Cars Purchased with License Plates?

[EverettRose]

The traffic authorities have long established relevant regulations. Generally, used cars are purchased without license plates. Below are specific details regarding purchasing used cars: 1. Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations: Article 13 When the domicile of a motor vehicle owner moves out of the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office, the vehicle management office shall, within three days from the date of acceptance, annotate the changes on the motor vehicle registration certificate, retrieve the license plate and vehicle license, issue a temporary vehicle license plate valid for thirty days, and hand over the motor vehicle file to the owner. The motor vehicle owner shall apply for the transfer of the motor vehicle to the local vehicle management office within the validity period of the temporary vehicle license plate. 2. Motor Vehicle Registration Matters: Article 19 If the current motor vehicle owner's domicile is within the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office, the vehicle management office shall, within one day from the date of acceptance, confirm the motor vehicle, verify the vehicle identification number imprint, review the submitted proofs and credentials, retrieve the license plate and vehicle license, determine a new motor vehicle license plate number, annotate the transfer on the motor vehicle registration certificate, and reissue the license plate, vehicle license, and inspection qualification mark. 3. Used License Plate Acquisition Matters: The license plate of a used car cannot be transferred along with the vehicle. The original owner may choose to retain the original license plate; otherwise, it will be returned to the license plate pool for others to draw. The current owner can obtain a license plate for the used car through number selection or participation in the license plate auction conducted by the public security department.

[LaPenelope]

Last time I bought a used car, the whole process went quite smoothly. The license plate definitely came with the car because in China, during a used car transaction, the license plate and vehicle registration certificate are tied together. When we handled the transfer at the DMV, it took an afternoon to get it done—the old plate was changed to my name, and we even saved on extra fees. But if you live in a city with license plate restrictions, like Beijing or Shanghai, the situation is different. In those places, license plates are obtained through auctions or lotteries, so buying a car might not include a plate, and you’d need to secure one yourself before registering. In the used car market, always check the vehicle’s history and usage period before buying to avoid getting a flood-damaged or accident car, which could affect the plate transfer. The type of license plate also matters—regular blue plates come with the car, and so do new energy green plates for electric vehicles. The transfer fee isn’t high, usually just a few hundred yuan. In short, buying a used car usually includes the license plate, but local policies are key—picking the right location makes things much easier.