Can I Keep the Original License Plate When Buying a Used Car?

[Brenda]

When transferring ownership of a used car, it is not possible to retain the original license plate number. Details are as follows: 1. According to legal regulations, for non-immediate family transfers, the license plate number must be changed and the original one cannot be retained. 2. If the old car undergoes a transfer of ownership, you can apply for a license plate renewal quota at the vehicle management office. 3. During the application process, you may attempt to request the retention of the original license plate number. 4. If the current vehicle owner's residence is within the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office, the office should confirm the vehicle, verify the vehicle identification number imprint, review the submitted documents and certificates, reclaim the license plate and vehicle registration certificate, determine a new license plate number, note the transfer details in the vehicle registration certificate, and reissue the license plate, registration certificate, and inspection certificate within one day of accepting the application.

[StHazel]

I just completed the used car transfer process and have specifically researched the license plate issue. The DMV regulations are very clear: the original license plate belongs to the original owner and cannot be transferred to the new owner along with the vehicle. When I bought the used car, I had to select a new number, and the old plate was reclaimed. However, if the original owner meets certain conditions, such as having used that plate number for at least one year, they can retain the plate for use on their new car. During the transfer, I brought all the required documents, first went to the DMV to cancel the old plate, and then selected a new number on the self-service machine. Nowadays, the selection methods are quite flexible, offering options like a random fifty-choose-one or customizing your own plate. The whole process took a little over two hours, and getting the new plates felt quite ceremonial. I recommend confirming the license plate handling process with the seller before purchasing.

[FaithRose]

As a regular in the used car market, I'm quite familiar with the ins and outs of license plates. When purchasing a used car, you absolutely cannot inherit the original license plate - the number is tied to the original owner, not the vehicle. On the day of transfer, the old license plate will be reclaimed by the DMV, and the new owner needs to select a new number in the system. Interestingly, the original owner can apply to retain their old plate number, provided they've used it for over a year. When selecting a new number, I recommend downloading the Traffic Management 12123 app in advance to check the released number segments - there are both self-composed and random selection modes. Last week while helping a friend with a transfer, I discovered that the vehicle identification number information of the original license plate can now be retained, which is quite helpful for the new owner to check maintenance records. Don't forget to prepare documents like temporary residence permits.

[SanDominic]

When buying a used car, the license plate must be replaced with a new one. The original plate belongs to the previous owner, just like a property deed cannot be transferred with the house. The old plate will be automatically deregistered in the vehicle management system. The new owner needs to participate in a lottery or choose a custom number. However, there's a detail: if the original owner has driven the car for at least one year, they can apply to retain the license plate number for their next new car. On the day of transfer, bring both parties' ID cards, the vehicle license, and the registration certificate (big green book), and the plate replacement can be completed in half a day. While the new plate is being made, a temporary plate will be issued for use. Nowadays, selecting a number is quite convenient and can be done via a mobile app.