Can the License Plate Be Retained After Selling the Car?

[ClaireAnn]

It can be retained under certain conditions. The following are the relevant details about the license plate: 1. The required condition is that the motor vehicle must have been registered for more than one year. When the motor vehicle is sold, the original owner can retain the license plate. 2. Within one year, the retained license plate can be used whether purchasing a new car or a used car. The following are the conditions for applying to use the original motor vehicle license plate number: 1. The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer registration or cancellation registration. 2. The motor vehicle owner must have owned the original motor vehicle for more than three years. 3. All traffic violations and accident-related matters involving the original motor vehicle must be resolved. 4. Documents required for applying to retain the old license plate: ID card and a copy; "Motor Vehicle Transfer or Registration Application Form"; proof of compulsory traffic insurance; annual inspection certificate; whole vehicle factory certificate; proof of origin of the motor vehicle; for imported vehicles, an import certificate is required; proof of purchase tax payment; various documents submitted during vehicle registration.

[Adalynn]

Back when I sold my car, I also had my eye on that license plate since it had been with me for over five years. The current policy does allow retaining the original plate, but there are prerequisites: first, the car must have been registered under your name for a full year, and you must purchase a new vehicle within two years after selling the old one to apply for reusing the old plate. Remember to settle all traffic violation fines beforehand, or the DMV won’t process the paperwork. My cousin learned this the hard way last year—he had an unpaid speeding ticket and wasted two trips to the DMV. If you’re not planning to switch to a new car right away, you can apply to extend the retention of the license plate by filling out an application form. Nowadays, there are more ways to select a plate number, even through mobile apps, which is quite convenient.

[VonRonan]

As a seasoned driver who has changed three cars, I particularly understand the sentiment of keeping the old license plate. Policy-wise, there's no issue as long as the original car has been under your name for over a year and the plate has been used for at least one year. You can apply to reuse the old plate when registering the new car. Three key reminders: First, you must complete the process within two years after the transfer, or it will be void. Second, make sure to personally bring your original ID card and the vehicle transfer certificate to the DMV for processing. Third, don't overlook the transfer of the vehicle's electronic records. With nationwide networking now, it's no problem to handle it in a different location. Last time, my neighbor sold the car to another city and still managed to keep the Shenzhen plate.

[VanDiana]

I just completed the license plate retention procedure last month. After selling the car, the license plate can indeed be kept for use on a new vehicle, but there is a time limit—you must apply within two years after the vehicle transfer. I transferred my old car to a relative and went to the DMV on the third day after the transfer. The staff had me fill out an "Application for Retention of Original License Plate" and verified the owner's ID and vehicle registration certificate. The whole process took twenty minutes, but the plate can only be officially activated when registering the new car. Remember to clear all traffic violations before the transfer—I had an unpaid parking ticket and was called back to handle the fine after reaching the counter.

[VanRylee]

Once when I accompanied a friend to sell a car at a used car market, the dealer directly educated us about license plate retention. The new regulations are quite user-friendly now, allowing you to retain your license plate for up to two years after selling a car. There are three key conditions: the license plate must have been registered under your name for at least one year, the vehicle must have no outstanding violations, and you must purchase a new car within two years to continue using it. My friend was initially worried that the plate number might be taken by someone else, but the system automatically locks it securely. If you don’t have a new car yet, it’s advisable to regularly check the remaining retention period on the 12123 APP. However, personal license plate numbers cannot be transferred; they can only be used by the original owner.

[SanEllie]

When I changed my car the year before last, I specifically researched the license plate policy. Indeed, you can continue to keep and use your old license plate after selling the car, but make sure not to exceed the two-year validity period. There are three key details to note in practice: First, ensure the old license plate has been used for at least one year. My colleague's car was totaled in a rear-end collision after only eight months of use, resulting in the license plate being voided. Second, all traffic fines must be settled. Third, you need to apply for retention immediately after the new owner's information is transferred. The DMV now has an electronic filing system—previously, you had to bring a paper file folder, but now you can simply scan your ID card to retrieve all records, making the process much more convenient.