Can a New Car Use an Old License Plate?
3 Answers
Purchasing a new car allows the use of the old car's license plate, but certain conditions must be met, as detailed below: 1. The license plate must be under the same vehicle owner's name, meaning both vehicles must be registered to the same individual; 2. The vehicles must be registered in the same location; 3. The license plates must be of the same type, i.e., a yellow plate can only be replaced with another yellow plate, a blue plate with another blue plate, and a green plate with another green plate; 4. The vehicles must be non-commercial, meaning only household vehicles are eligible for plate transfer, while vehicles like taxis are not; 5. After completing the plate swap, you must wait one year before applying for another swap or to retain the original license plate number.
As a seasoned driver who frequently changes cars, I can tell you from real-life experience that it is indeed possible to use an old license plate on a new car. The key condition is that the old license plate must be registered under your name on a vehicle you previously owned and drove. Based on experience, rules may vary by region, but most places require the license plate to have been used for a certain period, such as three years or more, before you can apply to retain it. The process is quite simple: when selling your old car, go to the DMV to apply for license plate retention. Then, when purchasing a new car, specify during registration that you want to use the old plate number, providing your ID, the old vehicle’s registration certificate, and the new car’s invoice. I did this the last time I changed cars—paid a small fee but kept my license plate number, which felt much more convenient. Additional reminder: make sure the old car has no outstanding traffic violations or unpaid fees, as this could prevent the plate from being used and affect your future driving safety. A license plate is like a car’s name tag, and maintaining continuity is quite nice.
Hey, I just used this method when changing to a new car. It's completely possible to transfer old license plates to a new vehicle, as long as the old plates were registered under your name. To be specific: the old plates must have been used on a vehicle registered in your name, and policies typically require the plates to have been used for at least three years before they can be retained—like in my city. The process is very straightforward: apply to retain the plates when disposing of the old car, then register the old plate number directly when purchasing the new car. Just one trip to the DMV with your driver's license and proof documents is enough. The benefits are huge convenience—no need to go through the hassle of selecting a new plate number, and I already have my old number memorized. It's also cost-effective, saving the fee for selecting a new number. Nowadays, the DMV offers online services. I downloaded the form, filled it out, scheduled an appointment, and got it done quickly. I recommend checking your local transportation bureau’s website in advance to avoid wasting time in queues. License plate matters affect daily driving convenience, so it's best to handle them efficiently.
