Can license plates be changed during vehicle transfer?
2 Answers
During a vehicle transfer, the original license plate number cannot be retained and must be replaced with a new one. Introduction to Vehicle Transfer: Vehicle transfer refers to the process of changing the ownership name of a vehicle. When purchasing a used car, besides inspecting the vehicle's condition, the most crucial step is completing the transfer procedure. Principle of Vehicle Transfer: Each vehicle has a fixed registration record, which primarily includes the owner's name, address, and relevant vehicle parameters. If a vehicle has issues such as involvement in accidents, failure to undergo annual inspections, being stolen, or being smuggled, it cannot be transferred through normal procedures.
During the vehicle title transfer process, changing the license plate is completely feasible. I have handled many similar cases where the transfer of records and change of ownership themselves do not affect license plate replacement; as long as you proactively apply to the DMV, they can issue you a new plate number during the transfer. This mainly depends on the new owner's needs, such as when the original plate is damaged, has unlucky numbers, or when you want a new style. Generally, local transfers may sometimes allow you to keep the original plate, but cross-province transfers almost always require a new plate to comply with local database rules. The plate-changing process is not troublesome—just an additional fee of a few dozen yuan and a slight delay in time. I recommend communicating clearly with the staff before the transfer and bringing the necessary documents for a smooth process. Remember, getting a new plate can make your car more personalized and avoid some historical record issues, making driving on the road more hassle-free.
