Can a used car use its previous license plate?
3 Answers
When transferring ownership of a used car, the original license plate number cannot be retained. Here are the relevant details: 1. Article 19, Paragraph 2: If the vehicle owner's residence is within the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office, the office shall confirm the vehicle, verify the vehicle identification number imprint, review submitted documents and certificates, retrieve the license plate and registration certificate, determine a new license plate number, record the transfer details in the vehicle registration certificate, and reissue the license plate, registration certificate, and inspection mark within one day of accepting the application. 2. Used car license plates: Cannot be transferred with the vehicle. While the car is private property that can be transferred, the license plate is state-owned property and does not belong to any individual or group. Owners only have the right to use the license plate, not ownership rights, so it cannot be transferred with the vehicle.
I remember when I bought my first used car, I also wondered if the license plate could be reused. Actually, it's not possible. During the transfer process, if the original owner wants to keep the old license plate, they must apply in advance. Generally, if the car is over one year old, it can be done. As for the new owner, they must either choose a new number or get a randomly assigned new plate. The whole process is handled at the DMV when completing the transfer procedures. After I bought the car that time, I went straight to the DMV, queued up, filled out forms—it was quite time-consuming. License plates are like ID cards—one plate per car. After a second-hand transaction, the number is cleared and cannot be reused. This is mainly to prevent fraudsters from taking advantage, like someone deliberately using old plates to fake history or something. So, besides checking the car's condition before buying, it's also important to verify the transfer documents and the proof of number change to avoid future hassles. Anyway, a fresh license plate means a fresh start, which can be quite fun.
Last year, I helped a friend with a used car sale and followed the entire process. The license plate part was crucial. If the original owner wanted to keep the original plate, they could apply for retention as long as certain conditions were met, such as the car having no accident history. However, the new owner couldn’t directly use that plate and had to register for a new one. During the transfer, the DMV would deactivate the old plate number, and the new owner would then select a new one. I remember it took my friend two days to complete the process, which wasn’t too complicated—just required bringing the ID card and vehicle registration certificate. Extra note: Private transfer of license plates is illegal and punishable by fines. Once the new plate is issued, the old number becomes completely invalid, so don’t even think about using it on the road again. Lesson learned: Pay close attention to the transfer process to avoid disputes.
