Can a vehicle be transferred without driving it back to its original location in 2021?

[McGideon]

If a vehicle is not driven back to its original location, it cannot be transferred. The vehicle must first be driven to the location where it is currently registered to complete the transfer and file extraction process. After the files are transferred to the new location, the vehicle must then be driven to the local vehicle management office at the new location to complete the registration and license plate issuance. Vehicle transfer refers to changing the name of the vehicle's owner. Below are the relevant details: Validity Period: If the vehicle owner's residence is moved out of the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office, the office must, within three days of accepting the application, note the changes on the vehicle registration certificate, reclaim the license plates and vehicle license, issue a temporary license plate valid for 30 days, and hand over the vehicle files to the owner. Property Certificate: The property certificate must be legitimate. Key details to pay attention to include the embossed seal number, engine number, and registration date on the property certificate. Besides verifying these details, it is also important to check for any signs of alteration, as tampering is often indicative of fraudulent transactions.

[OEmily]

I've handled this kind of matter before. In 2021, vehicles could indeed be transferred without being driven back to their original location. After the electronic transfer policy became widespread, owners could apply for electronic file transfer through the 12123 Traffic Management APP, and it could be completed within three days. I transferred a Zhejiang-licensed car to a local buyer in Nanjing. Both parties brought their original ID cards, vehicle license, and green book (vehicle registration certificate) and completed the procedures directly at the Nanjing Vehicle Management Office. The key is to check the emission standards of the destination location. For example, some cities in Hebei only accept National VI vehicles. Also, make sure to clear any traffic violation records in advance, otherwise the system will block the review. Nowadays, many used car platforms offer agency services for just two to three hundred yuan in service fees, which is much more convenient than doing it yourself.

[ChaseAnn]

When I sold my car the year before last, I specifically researched this matter. After 2021, there's absolutely no need to drive the vehicle back to its original registration location. The key lies in submitting the vehicle transfer application via the Traffic Management 12123 platform. Once the electronic file transfer is completed, the new owner can complete the ownership transfer by having the vehicle inspected at the local DMV. Remember to release any mortgage status in advance – my colleague's application got rejected because the car loan wasn't fully paid off. Cross-region vehicle transfers are becoming increasingly common nowadays, especially for new energy vehicles which face no emission restrictions, making the process even smoother. However, if the green vehicle registration book is lost, it must be reissued first, otherwise it'll be a wasted trip. The entire process turned out to be much smoother than expected, with noticeable efficiency improvements at DMVs.

[AsherRose]

Personal experience tells you that as early as 2021, there's no need to go through the hassle of driving the car back to its original registration place. I work in Beijing and sold my car from my hometown in Hebei to a colleague, with the entire process handled in Beijing. First, I filled out the transfer application on the 12123 APP, received a text message the next day notifying me of the approval, and then scheduled the transfer at the vehicle management office. We prepared copies of both parties' ID cards, the car purchase invoice, and the compulsory insurance policy, and it was all done at the counter in an hour. Pay attention to whether the transfer stamp on the third page of the vehicle registration certificate is clear—mine was a bit blurry, so I had to get it replaced. The current policies are really convenient, saving me over 800 kilometers in fuel and toll fees.