Can a new car be sold without license plates?
2 Answers
New cars can be sold without license plates. Sales process: The buyer and seller must bring their original ID cards to the 4S store to request a replacement of the purchase invoice. The original invoice under the previous owner's name will be voided, and a new invoice will be issued under the new owner's name. The new owner can then use this new invoice to register the vehicle at the DMV. If the invoice has already been issued but insurance and purchase tax have not been paid, the invoice can be directly replaced. If insurance has already been purchased, an insurance endorsement needs to be modified. If purchase tax has already been paid, a tax refund must be processed first. License plate registration process: Purchasing vehicle purchase tax and registering license plates are done on-site and can generally be completed within one to two days. The owner only needs to provide the required documents to the relevant departments with the guidance of the 4S store salesperson. If the owner goes alone, the process may take longer due to unfamiliarity with the location and procedures.
A new car without license plates can definitely be sold, as I've handled many similar transactions. As someone frequently involved in car transfers, selling an unregistered vehicle is legally feasible, but you must ensure all documentation is complete. Firstly, the buyer needs to receive the vehicle invoice and factory certificate during purchase, so they can handle the registration and licensing procedures at the DMV themselves. The transfer process requires signing a sales contract, clearly stating the vehicle's unregistered status and both parties' responsibilities, such as the buyer being responsible for licensing fees and timing. If the buyer delays registration and drives without plates, they may face fines or even vehicle impoundment, making liability unclear. Hence, setting a registration deadline is safer. The vehicle can remain parked until the transaction is completed before being moved—don't rush to drive it to avoid trouble. The price might be slightly lower since the buyer has to put in extra effort, but the overall transaction can proceed smoothly without affecting ownership transfer.
