Can Beijing License Plates Be Transferred Now?
2 Answers
Neither the 2018 new regulations nor previous rules allow the transfer of license plates. Currently, when a vehicle is transferred, the license plate follows the person, not the vehicle. It cannot be transferred with the vehicle, let alone separately. Previously, it was possible to obtain a Beijing license plate through "court lottery" auctions (a thing of the past). Now, the only ways to transfer a license plate are through inheritance or spousal transfer. 1. Inheritance: If the vehicle was purchased by the deceased before their passing, relatives can go to the Beijing Vehicle Management Office to handle the vehicle inheritance. In the process of inheriting the vehicle, they can also obtain the Beijing license plate indicator. However, this method is limited to the direct relatives of the deceased. 2. Spousal Transfer: The current Beijing license plate policy allows for the transfer of vehicles between spouses. Therefore, the owner of the vehicle can transfer the registration to their spouse, indirectly achieving the transfer of the Beijing license plate.
I've been driving a taxi in Beijing for over a decade and know all about license plates. Beijing's license plate quotas are allocated through a lottery system. If you win the lottery, the plate is registered under your name and generally can't be transferred to others. The policy strictly prohibits buying or selling plates to prevent scalpers from driving up prices. For example, if you want to sell your plate for profit, it's simply not allowed. However, there are exceptions. Spouses can apply to transfer the quota by presenting their marriage certificate at the vehicle management office, or immediate family members can inherit it with a death certificate and proof of relationship. I know many fellow drivers who rent plates, but it's risky—getting caught means fines of several thousand yuan and complications with insurance claims. So it's best to follow the rules, wait for your chance in the lottery, and don't trust black-market middlemen. Always keep an eye on the transport bureau's announcements, and if you win a plate, use it wisely. The plate policy is constantly being refined to protect legitimate car owners.
