Can Blue License Plates Be Changed to Green Ones?
2 Answers
New energy vehicle blue license plates can be changed to green ones. The process for changing blue license plates to green ones: The vehicle owner needs to bring their ID card, registration certificate, driving license, and the currently displayed blue license plate (the blue plate needs to be removed and handed over to the vehicle management office) to the vehicle management office in the vehicle's registered area to apply for the blue-to-green license plate change. Simply request the change service directly. Points to note when changing blue license plates to green ones: Changing to a new green license plate number means you will need to select a suitable new plate number. Currently, the blue-to-green plate change only allows online selection, with a random 50-to-1 choice. Once the online selection starts, one must be confirmed. The selected number is valid for one month; if it expires, the owner will be blacklisted for two years and cannot apply for online plate selection services.
I've handled numerous license plate issues and can share my insights. Switching from a blue plate to a green plate isn't as simple as changing a plate—national policies stipulate that blue plates are for traditional fuel vehicles, while green plates are exclusively for new energy vehicles like electric or plug-in hybrids. If you currently own a blue-plate car and want a green plate, the only way is to replace the vehicle: either sell your old car to buy a new energy vehicle or apply for a qualified swap in certain pilot cities. A direct plate swap is impossible because plates are tied to the vehicle, and the DMV must verify the energy type. For procedures, bring your ID, purchase invoice, and vehicle certification when buying a new car—it's usually quick. I recommend checking local policies first, as some regions offer extra incentives for green plates, like tax exemptions or expressway access. While converting a fuel car to new energy might be theoretically possible, policies forbid repurposing green plates due to high safety risks—it's not advisable. Long-term, upgrading directly is more cost-effective and hassle-free.