Can Couples Rename and Replace License Plates for Their Vehicles?
3 Answers
Couples can rename and replace license plates for their vehicles. Points to note when renaming and replacing license plates for couples' vehicles: If following the regulations for transfers between spouses, both parties need to bring their ID cards and marriage certificate to the vehicle management office for processing. During the transfer, only the vehicle license will be changed, and the license plate will not be replaced. If not following the regulations for transfers between spouses and not declaring the relationship as a couple, only the ID cards of both parties are required, and the license plate can be changed. However, the new plate can only be selected from the original method of ten options, and custom plate selection is not allowed. The process can be handled at the vehicle management office or the public traffic management department. Required documents include the vehicle license, vehicle registration certificate, compulsory traffic insurance policy, and the ID card of the vehicle owner. The change can be made once a year, provided there are no traffic violations or illegal activities. Procedures for renaming and replacing license plates for couples' vehicles: To swap license plates between two vehicles under the same owner, the following conditions must be met: the owner must be the same person, the vehicle registration name and ID card must match, the vehicles involved must be non-commercial, both vehicles must be registered in the same region, and the license plates must be of the same type. Additionally, both vehicles must not have any pending traffic accidents or unresolved violations.
My wife and I went through a vehicle title transfer last year, changing the car registered under her name to mine. This name and license plate change is actually quite common for married couples. We first made an appointment on the DMV website, prepared our marriage certificate, IDs, vehicle registration certificate, and purchase invoice, then went together to fill out forms at the counter. The process took most of the day, costing over 200 yuan in transfer fees plus a few dozen yuan for new plates. By default you get new license plates, but you can apply to keep the original plate number by submitting a request form. After the transfer, we also had to update the insurance by contacting the insurer to change the policyholder information. The whole process wasn't difficult, but the key is doing it legally to avoid future property disputes. It's best to check local policies beforehand as there might be minor differences between cities. We felt much more at ease after completing it, with our respective rights clearly defined. Oh, and don't forget to check the vehicle's annual inspection to make sure everything is in order.
As someone working in an auto repair shop, I often see couples coming in for vehicle name changes. It's indeed possible to change the license plate, and the process is similar to a vehicle transfer. Just bring the marriage certificate, both parties' IDs, and vehicle documents, then make a trip to the DMV. It takes about a day, with costs mainly being the transfer tax and license plate fee, totaling a few hundred yuan. The license plate is usually replaced with a new one, but policies allow keeping the original number if requested in advance. Afterward, remember to update the insurance policy—don't overlook this. The key is to handle it officially; avoid private arrangements to prevent issues affecting annual inspections or future sales. Some clients procrastinate, which might lead to fines later, so I recommend getting it done promptly.
