Can a car be transferred to another location?
2 Answers
It is possible to transfer a car to another location. First, go to the local vehicle management office for a suspicious vehicle investigation. If the investigation confirms no issues, you can proceed with the vehicle transfer and file extraction. After the files are transferred to the new location, visit the local vehicle management office there to complete the registration and license plate process. Vehicle transfer refers to changing the name of the vehicle's owner. Completing the transfer legally finalizes the ownership transfer of the vehicle, ensuring the legality of the vehicle's origin, such as avoiding purchasing smuggled or stolen vehicles. It also clarifies the division of responsibilities between the buyer and seller regarding the vehicle, such as debt disputes and traffic violations, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of both parties. When the ownership of a motor vehicle is transferred, the new owner must apply for the transfer registration at the local vehicle management office within 30 days from the date of vehicle delivery.
Last week, I helped my cousin transfer his newly purchased car from Guangzhou to Hangzhou, and it’s indeed possible to handle the procedures remotely. The process was quite straightforward: first, book an appointment on the local DMV website, bring essential documents like the vehicle registration certificate, IDs of both parties, and the sales invoice, then the staff will inspect the car and process the transfer once everything checks out. The whole thing took about half a day and cost just a few hundred yuan—feels much more convenient now that the systems are connected. Rules vary by city, though; for example, big cities might be more efficient, while smaller towns could have stricter document requirements, so it’s best to call ahead to avoid wasted trips. Don’t forget to unbind the original owner’s insurance and traffic violation records to prevent future hassles. Going on a less busy day saves time—queues can take over an hour during peak times.