Can a Used Car Keep Its Original License Plate?
4 Answers
A used car can retain its original license plate, but certain conditions must be met. Below are the specific requirements for applying to keep the original plate number: 1. The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation of registration; 2. The original owner must have owned the vehicle for more than three years; 3. All traffic violations and accidents involving the original vehicle must be resolved. Additionally, here are the required documents for transferring ownership of a used car: 1. For the seller: (1) ID card, vehicle registration certificate, vehicle license, and original purchase invoice. (2) If the seller is an organization, the original organization code certificate and official seal are required. 2. For the buyer: (1) ID card; for non-locals, a valid temporary residence permit is needed for local registration. (2) If the buyer is an organization, the original organization code certificate and official seal are required. 3. The original vehicle purchase invoice or the invoice from the last transfer. 4. The original vehicle license. 5. The vehicle registration certificate (green book). 6. For out-of-town transfers, the purchase tax booklet is required.
I looked into this last time when I sold my old car. After the transfer of a used car, you can't continue using the original license plate. According to regulations, the original plate belongs to the owner. If the owner wants to keep it, they must meet several conditions: the plate must have been used for over a year, and the owner must apply to retain it within 12 months after selling the car. The friend who bought my car has to go to the DMV to select a new plate and go through the process again. There's only one exception: transfers between family members, like between spouses or parents and children. In some cities, you can apply to keep the original plate, but you'll need to provide a household register to prove the relationship. So, used car buyers shouldn't expect to use the original plate. I recommend checking the local DMV's official website in advance to understand the specific requirements, to avoid a wasted trip.
Having handled used car transactions for so many years, I'm very clear about license plate transfers. The original license plate owner can apply to retain the plate, but must personally complete the procedures - there's no automatic continuation. New owners must select a new number, and the DMV will issue new plates on the spot. Important reminder: Never believe claims about 'selling cars with license plates' - it's completely illegal. Once a client paid premium for a car with a nice plate number, only to find during transfer that the number couldn't be kept, wasting extra money. Always request the seller to show the license plate retention application before transfer to ensure transparency. Policies vary slightly between cities - plate number-restricted cities may have stricter reviews.
Old Zhang here, I've bought and sold four or five cars, and the license plate issue has never been an exception. The original owner's plates must be removed, and the buyer needs to get new ones. It's clearly stated on the counter at the DMV—old plates are reclaimed on the day of transfer. Unless the original owner applied for plate retention in advance, and even then, it's only for transfers between immediate family like father and son. Last time, my neighbor Old Wang transferred his car to his daughter and had to make three trips just to get the plates retained. New plates can usually be selected on the spot. Once, I saw a young guy spend two hours picking '888,' only to find out it was already taken. Don’t delay—head straight to the DMV after the deal is done. If you wait too long, all the good numbers in the pool will be gone.
