Can a Second-hand Car Be Directly Licensed After Ownership Transfer?
3 Answers
Second-hand car ownership transfer does not allow direct license plate retention. While the vehicle can be transferred, the license plate cannot. During the ownership transfer process, the vehicle management office will revoke the original license plate and issue a new one to the transferee. If the owner has held the vehicle for at least 3 years, they can apply to retain the old license plate for 6 months during the transfer. Below are key considerations regarding reusing old license plates on new vehicles: 1. Corporate entities cannot inherit plates: If the original owner is a company, the license plate remains registered under the company name after transfer, not under the company's legal representative. The legal representative has no right to inherit it. 2. Individuals cannot inherit plates under certain circumstances: If the vehicle undergoes spousal asset transfer, the license plate must be used under the new owner's name for at least one year before becoming retainable. Even if the original owner passes away, license plates are not considered part of inheritable assets. 3. Archiving period: Old license plates cannot be reused immediately after transfer; there is typically a 3-working-day archiving period.
When I first bought a used car, I also thought that transferring ownership would allow me to drive with new plates right away, but it wasn’t that simple. I remember last summer, I found a good used car, negotiated with the seller, and went to the DMV together to handle the paperwork. The ownership transfer is about changing the car’s title, and the key steps involve filling out a bunch of forms, vehicle inspection, and finally getting new plates—not directly swapping them! Unless the previous owner applied to retain the old plate number, you’ll definitely get a new one. The whole process took most of the day, with long queues, plus fees for the plates and processing. My advice is not to rush when buying a used car—set aside enough time to complete all formalities before hitting the road. Make sure documents like ID, vehicle certificate, and invoice are complete; otherwise, replacements can be even more troublesome. Don’t forget to transfer the insurance, or you might face difficulties with claims. Rules vary by city—for example, Beijing requires appointments, while Shanghai allows online submission of some materials. It’s best to check the local DMV website for details. Safety first—don’t cut corners and risk getting a ticket.
As a novice car enthusiast, I was thrilled to buy my first used car. The seller told me the license plate would automatically change after the transfer, so I thought it would be super quick. But when I got to the DMV, I found out it's a two-step process: first, complete the ownership transfer, then submit the materials and pass the vehicle inspection before getting the new plate. That day, I didn’t bring enough documents—I was missing the original owner’s transfer agreement, so I had to go back and fetch it, dragging the process until the afternoon. In most cases, the license plate will be replaced with a new one unless the old one meets retention conditions, such as being used for at least three years or the owner applying to keep it. The whole process is free but time-consuming, so it’s best to prepare all the documents in advance. Also, make sure to check the vehicle’s condition to avoid failing the inspection and having to redo it. I learned my lesson: don’t take verbal promises lightly in used car transactions—always specify the license plate change details in the contract. And don’t forget to clarify who pays the taxes and fees to avoid disputes.
