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.

[ElizabethFitz]

Just went through the used car transfer process and got clear answers about license plate issues. The original license plate cannot be transferred with the vehicle to the new owner - a new plate must be applied for. When processing the transfer registration at the DMV, staff immediately reclaimed the old plate. The new owner can pre-select a plate number on the 12123 app, with 20 custom attempts or 5 random attempts; they can also use the DMV's number selection machine. The original owner may qualify to keep their old plate number, but that doesn't concern us buyers. Reminder: after changing plates, remember to update your ETC device information - last time I forgot to change the license plate number bound to my ETC and had minor trouble on the highway. Also, the vehicle inspection sticker needs to be updated with the new plate information promptly.

[LeEverly]

The issue of license plates for used cars is actually quite straightforward: the buyer must get a new plate, while the seller can retain the old one. Last year, when I purchased a used car, I had to replace the plate, and I was quite reluctant to part with the original triple-digit number. However, the rule is that the original license plate follows the original owner. The DMV staff explained that after changing the license plate, the vehicle's records are re-established, and the old plate is immediately invalidated. The only exception is when the original owner buys a new car and can apply to reuse the old plate number. When selecting a new plate, it's best to check for any taboos or cultural sensitivities regarding the numbers. A friend of mine once randomly chose a plate with the number '4' and regretted it for days. Additionally, after completing the transfer, it's crucial to update the license plate information on the commercial insurance policy immediately; otherwise, claims may be problematic. Nowadays, with abundant resources in the number pool, it's not difficult to pick a lucky number.