Can a new car without license plates be transferred?
4 Answers
A new car without license plates does not have a vehicle registration certificate, so there is no issue of transfer. A new car that has not been registered does not need to be transferred; it can be directly assigned to a new owner. The specific steps are as follows: 1. Both the buyer and seller should bring their original ID cards to the 4S store: Request to replace the purchase invoice, void the original invoice under the previous owner's name, and issue a new purchase invoice under the new owner's name. The new owner can then take the new invoice to the vehicle management office to register the new car. 2. Replacing the invoice: 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. 3. Required documents: Original ID card of the previous owner, original ID card of the new owner, original and copy of the vehicle registration certificate, purchase tax certificate, proof of payment for vehicle and vessel usage tax, vehicle registration certificate, vehicle inspection report from the criminal investigation department, and insurance policy. All of these documents must be provided in their original form.
When I first bought my new car, I was also curious about this issue. Generally, a new car without license plates cannot be directly transferred, because the transfer process involves transferring the vehicle's ownership, which requires an official vehicle license and license plates to prove identity. I remember once when my friend was in a hurry to sell his car without registering it first, and the transaction was rejected by the DMV. He had to make several trips and go through a lot of trouble to finally get it done. This matter involves regulations—a new car must first complete the registration and plate issuance process at the local vehicle management office. Only after obtaining the metal license plates and vehicle license can the transfer proceed smoothly. Otherwise, without the basic documents, how can you prove the car is yours? There are many potential risks, such as encountering scammers exploiting information loopholes or being fined for driving without plates. Personally, I suggest not rushing—wait until the plates are properly issued before handling the transfer. It’s both hassle-free and safe, and this is how the used car market operates as well.
Having driven for many years, I've encountered similar cases. If a new car hasn't been licensed yet, don't even think about transferring ownership—this process must be followed step by step: first, you need to go to the vehicle management office to register the car and obtain the license plate number and vehicle registration certificate, among other basic documents. These documents are mandatory when transferring ownership, and the inspector will verify the records—missing even one item won't do. Once, I helped someone handle a case where a new car was traded without being licensed first, and it got stuck halfway, requiring additional fees and wasting time. From a practical perspective, insurance and taxes are also affected—without a license plate, ownership can't be transferred, insurance can't update the vehicle owner, and tax payments become messy. It's best to register properly from the start so the transfer process goes smoothly without any hassle.
Based on my understanding of traffic regulations, a brand-new car cannot be transferred at all without being licensed. The vehicle must complete its first registration (i.e., licensing) at the DMV to obtain legal status before ownership can be transferred. Otherwise, it would be an illegal operation, possibly treated as an unregistered vehicle, involving fines or even more serious legal issues. I've also observed enforcement in different regions—larger cities have stricter supervision, making direct transfer nearly impossible. The safest approach is to ensure the new car is licensed first; otherwise, the transfer would be invalid, affecting transaction efficiency.
