Can Car License Plates Be Leased?

[VonTheo]

Car license plates cannot be leased, as leasing license plates itself is illegal. According to the "Motor Vehicle Management Regulations," motor vehicles and license plates are designated for specific vehicles and cannot be privately borrowed or misused without legal procedures. Article 38 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations of the People's Republic of China" stipulates: No unit or individual may forge or use forged motor vehicle license plates or motor vehicle driving licenses, nor may they resell, lend, misappropriate, or alter motor vehicle license plates or motor vehicle driving licenses. No one may fraudulently obtain motor vehicle license plates or motor vehicle driving licenses by claiming that the plates or licenses are lost or missing. Except for traffic management departments of public security authorities, no unit or individual may withhold motor vehicle license plates or motor vehicle driving licenses. When leasing a license plate, the lessee typically purchases the vehicle under the name of the license plate lessor. In the event of a traffic accident, the license plate lessor bears joint legal liability. Additionally, if the vehicle has outstanding debts or is mortgaged, the license plate lessor may also face financial losses.