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