Can a car be transferred with only the vehicle registration certificate?
3 Answers
No, a car cannot be transferred with only the vehicle registration certificate. For the seller: Owner's ID card, vehicle registration certificate, vehicle license, original purchase invoice (or transfer invoice if the car has been transferred before). If the seller is an organization, the original organization code certificate and official seal are required. For the buyer: ID card. For non-locals applying for local license plates, a valid temporary residence permit is additionally required. If the buyer is an organization, the original organization code certificate and official seal are required. The original vehicle purchase invoice or the last transfer invoice must be provided. For out-of-town transfers: For out-of-town transfers, the purchase tax booklet is needed (red booklet before 2001, green booklet after 2001). (Required before 2012, but not needed in most cities after 2012, except for autonomous regions where requirements may vary.) Bring all the above documents to the used car transfer office to complete the process.
Yes, having the vehicle registration certificate (commonly known as the big green book) certainly allows for the transfer of vehicle ownership. I went through this when I first bought a car, and the key to a successful transfer is having all the necessary documents. The big green book serves as the vehicle's ID and is one of the essential documents you must bring. You'll also need a copy of the original owner's ID card, the new owner's original ID card, and the sales contract or invoice you both signed. When you go to the vehicle management office, they will check the vehicle's environmental compliance. If the car is older, you might need additional certifications. The whole process took me about two hours last time, and the fee is based on the car's value, usually just a few hundred yuan. Don't delay the transfer for too long, as procrastination can lead to issues with insurance and annual inspections. With all the materials ready and the big green book in hand, the transfer can be completed smoothly.
As someone who's been driving for over a decade, I can tell you that having the vehicle registration certificate (the big green book) makes transferring ownership absolutely possible. But don't think you can get it done with just the book—you'll also need the ID documents of both the original and new owners, plus the sales contract. Miss any one of these, and the DMV will send you packing. I remember helping a friend with a transfer once—we had the big green book but forgot to bring copies, wasting a whole trip. The car also needs an environmental inspection beforehand, or you'll get stuck. After the transfer, the new owner can get insurance and use the car normally. This book records the vehicle's history—no transfer without it. The fees are reasonable, and the process isn't complicated, so don't get scammed.
