Can a Couple Transfer Car Ownership Without Changing the License Plate Number?

[DelMadison]

Vehicle belongs to the marital property of the couple and has been used for at least one year. Transfer procedures: Each vehicle has a registration. If the owner of the vehicle needs to be changed, the transfer procedures must be completed at the vehicle management office. If the transfer is between a married couple, the method of ownership transfer is generally through gifting, which eliminates the intermediate transaction process. If the license plate number is not to be changed, you only need to go to the vehicle management office to fill out an application for changing the owner and take a photo of the vehicle (taken at the vehicle management office). Transfer with license plate change: Transferring vehicle ownership between a couple with a license plate change is the same as a normal used car transaction and requires following the standard used car sale process.

[VanAlan]

My husband and I specifically asked this question when we transferred the car last year. The DMV said that transferring between spouses doesn't require re-selecting a license plate number. Just bring both IDs, marriage certificate, vehicle registration certificate, and driving license, then directly apply to retain the original plate. But note two conditions: first, you must be legally married with proof of marriage certificate; second, the car must have been registered under both names for at least one year to keep the plate. It only took us half an hour to complete the process, and we kept using the old plate, saving us the hassle of getting used to a new number. If both your names are on the green book (vehicle title), it's even simpler—you don't even need to change the insurance policy holder.

[LeSara]

Recently helped my cousin with the spouse-to-spouse vehicle transfer while keeping the original license plate number. The process was actually quite smooth. The key is to prepare three essential documents: the red marriage certificate, vehicle registration certificate, and original IDs of both parties. When going to the DMV, don't queue at the regular transfer window—look for the 'Change of Registration' dedicated counter. One crucial detail: while the owner's name on the vehicle license will be changed to the other party, the license plate frame remains the original one. By the way, if your license plate contains special numbers like 888, it's best to check local requirements for retention periods before transferring.

[StRowan]

Just helped my wife complete the license plate retention transfer process. The key is to check the vehicle registration status. If the car was previously registered as non-commercial, the transfer between spouses can directly go through the change registration channel, and the license plate will be automatically retained. However, if the vehicle was converted from commercial to non-commercial use, the system might enforce a plate number change. It's advisable to call the vehicle management hotline 12312 in advance to check the vehicle's attributes by providing the plate number, to avoid a wasted trip. Also, remember to have the original owner clear any traffic violations beforehand, otherwise the service window won't process the request.

[Peter]

A couple of days ago, I accompanied my neighbor couple to transfer the car ownership, and found that the policies are indeed more relaxed now. The car was originally bought by the husband before marriage, and when they went to change the registration after three years of marriage, not only was the license plate number retained, but even the worn-out plate was replaced with a new one for free. The staff also reminded them that after retaining the original number, they could continue to use it if they wanted to change cars, but they must purchase a new car within one year after the transfer to apply for the extension of the old number. If your local area supports the Traffic Management 12123 APP for appointment, uploading the marriage certificate photo online can save half a day of queuing time.

[DelArthur]

A personal reminder for everyone: Pay special attention to the vehicle usage type when transferring license plates between spouses. Last week, while helping a colleague with the procedure, his off-road vehicle with modified headlights—though registered as a private car—was flagged by the DMV due to club activity records, which they claimed indicated commercial use, preventing the plate retention. It was only resolved after obtaining a certificate from the club. Additionally, financed vehicles require lien release first, while Beijing and Shanghai plates are subject to local quota policies. It’s also advisable to remove ETC devices before transfer, as reactivating them post-transfer can be a hassle.