Can an out-of-town vehicle be transferred locally?
3 Answers
It is possible to transfer the ownership of an out-of-town vehicle locally. During the transfer process, the vehicle owner needs to bring their ID card, the vehicle's license, and the registration certificate to the local vehicle registration office for the transfer. According to the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," the current owner applying for the transfer registration should fill out an application form, inspect the vehicle, and submit the following documents and certificates. When processing the transfer registration, the vehicle management office will also need to verify the vehicle, check the vehicle identification number imprint, review the submitted documents and certificates, and retrieve the license plate and driving license. The vehicle inspection mainly involves checking whether the engine and chassis numbers have been altered, whether they match the original records, and whether the vehicle is stolen. A transaction is conducted, and a nationwide unified used car transaction invoice is issued. The vehicle owner must apply for a file transfer at the vehicle management office where the vehicle is registered, where the old license plate will be retrieved, and a temporary license plate will be issued. The vehicle is then driven back to the owner's location, and insurance is purchased. The owner must bring relevant documents (including the vehicle file) to the local vehicle management office for review. Once approved, the vehicle can be registered locally. When purchasing a used vehicle with an out-of-town license plate and intending to register it locally, a file transfer and ownership change are required to update the owner's identity. When the ownership of a motor vehicle is transferred, the current owner must apply for transfer registration at the vehicle management office of the registration location within 30 days from the date of delivery. Within three working days from the date of acceptance, the owner can collect a 30-day cross-administrative-region "Temporary Vehicle License Plate," the vehicle file, and the "Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate" at the service acceptance window. The vehicle owner must apply for the vehicle's transfer at the local vehicle management office within the validity period of the "Temporary Vehicle License Plate."
I bought an out-of-town license plate car two years ago and wanted to transfer ownership locally. To be honest, the process was a bit troublesome. First, I had to go to the vehicle management office in the original registration area to apply for the vehicle file transfer. After obtaining the vehicle file, I had to bring it back to the local vehicle management office to apply for the ownership transfer. It took me several days to run around, and I was even required to have the vehicle's exhaust emissions checked to ensure compliance with local standards. Fortunately, my car met the China VI emission standard, so it passed smoothly. For the transfer, I needed to provide my ID card, vehicle registration certificate, driving license, and insurance policy. I recommend making an online appointment with the vehicle management office to avoid long waits. Also, I’d like to remind everyone to update the insurance information as soon as possible after the transfer, so that any potential accident claims can be processed more smoothly.
Understanding your concern about the feasibility of transferring an out-of-town vehicle locally, this largely depends on local regulations. Generally, vehicle transfers should be processed at the original registration location, but many regions support transferring the vehicle records first before local registration. The key is ensuring the vehicle meets local environmental standards, or it might be rejected. The process involves insurance transfer and tax calculations. I've seen some owners spend extra on modifications due to emission failures. It's advisable to directly check the local DMV website or call their hotline for specific procedures and required documents—early preparation leads to quicker resolution. After the transfer, note that the vehicle inspection date resets, so don't overlook it.
