Can I use my original license plate when changing to a new car?
3 Answers
When changing to a new car, you can retain your original license plate. For car owners who wish to keep their original plate, it is essential to ensure that the original plate has been used for more than one year. Only then will the plate be retained under the original owner's name during the transfer process. The retention period is one year. If the owner does not apply to reuse the plate within this period, it will automatically expire after one year, and the vehicle management office will reclaim the plate, making it unavailable for future use. The required documents for changing the car without changing the plate are as follows: 1. "Motor Vehicle Transfer or Registration Application Form"; 2. Original and copy of the owner's ID card; 3. Proof of vehicle purchase tax payment or tax exemption certificate, vehicle annual inspection certificate, and relevant documents submitted during vehicle registration; 4. Non-local residents also need to bring a residence permit and proof of the vehicle's origin; 5. For imported vehicles, additional documents include import certificates, vehicle whole-vehicle factory qualification certificate, and compulsory traffic insurance certificate.
Regarding the issue of retaining the original license plate when changing cars, I have studied the relevant policies. Actually, you can completely use the original license plate, but several mandatory conditions must be met. First, the license plate must have been registered under your name for at least one year. For example, if you registered the plate three years ago, it would qualify. Second, you must apply for new vehicle registration within one year after the old car is transferred, canceled, or relocated. Another crucial point is that all traffic violations and accidents related to the original vehicle must be resolved; otherwise, the application won’t pass review. I remember successfully retaining my five-year-old license plate when I changed cars, and filling out the application form at the DMV was quite convenient. However, note that if the new car is a used vehicle, the original license plate cannot be used.
I've actually gone through the process of transferring an old license plate to a new car. The key point is the time limit: you must apply for new car registration within one year after disposing of the old vehicle, provided the original license plate had been used for over a year. If you wait a year and a half to buy a new car, the plate will be reclaimed. Also, make sure there are no unpaid fines or unresolved accidents associated with the old vehicle - my neighbor learned this the hard way. Preparing the materials is straightforward: after purchasing the new car, bring your ID card and the old car transfer certificate to the DMV, then fill out an application form to retain the original plate. I recommend contacting the local DMV in advance to confirm details, as procedures may vary slightly by region.
