Can a private car converted to a commercial vehicle be reverted back to a private car?
2 Answers
A private car converted to a commercial vehicle can be reverted back to a private car, but the vehicle's usage and scrapping period will be the same as that of a commercial vehicle. Below is the relevant introduction regarding the regulations on motor vehicle registration: Requirements for submitting a change of registration: Changes include altering the vehicle's color, replacing the engine, replacing the body or frame, replacing the entire vehicle due to quality issues, converting a commercial vehicle to a non-commercial vehicle or vice versa, or changing the vehicle's usage nature, as well as the vehicle owner's residence moving into or out of the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office. Filling out relevant materials: To apply for a change of registration, the vehicle owner must fill out an application form, present the vehicle for inspection, and submit the vehicle owner's identity proof, the motor vehicle registration certificate, and the motor vehicle license.
I've encountered this issue before. A friend's car was converted for ride-hailing use and later wanted to switch back to private use, but the process was quite troublesome. First, you need to submit an application to the vehicle management department to prove the vehicle is no longer for commercial operation, and you might even have to change the license plate number. The insurance also needs to be adjusted from scratch because the premium rates are higher during commercial use, and switching back requires a re-evaluation of the insurance cost, potentially costing thousands of yuan. Moreover, the vehicle wear and tear is significant—if it has high mileage, the residual value drops, making it less worthwhile than just buying a new car. I suggest everyone carefully consider the long-term implications before converting to commercial use to avoid hassle later. Some cities have restrictions on vehicle age—for example, cars over 8 years old may find it hard to switch back to private use. In short, it's doable but too much of a headache.
