Can the license plate be retained in a vehicle replacement?

[LunaRose]

Vehicle replacement can retain the license plate, but certain conditions must be met: 1. All traffic violation records of the original vehicle must be cleared; 2. The owner must have owned the vehicle for more than 3 years; 3. The original license plate must have been used for over 1 year; 4. The application to retain the original license plate must be submitted within 6 months after the original vehicle is transferred or scrapped. Vehicle replacement refers to the business where consumers use the assessed value of their used car plus additional payment to purchase a new car from a brand dealer. There are replacement subsidies for vehicle replacement, which is a promotional policy introduced by automobile manufacturers to increase the market share of new cars for trade-in owners.

[DelJonathan]

As an ordinary car owner, I once replaced my old car with a new one and wanted to keep the original license plate. I learned that whether it can be retained depends on several key conditions. Generally, as long as your license plate has been used for more than one year and there are no outstanding traffic violations when replacing the car, the traffic management department will allow you to apply to keep the original plate. The specific process is: first sell the old car, then bring your ID card, vehicle license, and other documents to the vehicle management office when registering the new car, and specifically declare to retain the license plate. However, if the new car does not meet local policies, such as emission standards in license-restricted cities like Beijing, you may not be able to keep it. I recommend checking the rules on the local traffic management bureau’s website before replacement to avoid unnecessary hassle. Retaining the license plate during replacement is quite cost-effective, as it saves the trouble and expense of reapplying for a new plate through a lottery or auction. In summary, the license plate can be retained when replacing a car, but you must plan ahead and meet all requirements to avoid losing it due to operational errors.

[DeDawson]

Having worked in the used car market for years and handled numerous trade-in cases, license plate retention is actually quite common. Most car owners prefer to keep their original plates to avoid additional costs like auction fees or new plate processing fees. The key lies in regional regulations: for instance, in cities like Chengdu and Shanghai, during a trade-in, as long as the license plate is registered under the individual’s name and has been used for over 12 months, and the newly purchased vehicle meets the licensing standards (such as China VI emission standards), the plate can be smoothly retained. However, overlooking policy details—such as the new car exceeding emission limits or incomplete paperwork—can result in losing the plate. Economically speaking, retaining the license plate is a smart choice, saving money and potentially increasing the vehicle’s resale value. I recommend that owners consult the DMV or hire a professional intermediary before trading in to ensure everything goes smoothly. In short, the process can be straightforward, but complexity depends on luck.

[AdelynLee]

From a policy perspective, there are clear regulatory bases for retaining license plates during vehicle replacement. According to the regulations of the national transportation authorities, the general requirements are that the owner must have used the license plate for at least one year with no violation records, and the new vehicle type must comply with local rules, such as the standards for small passenger vehicles. In practice, the owner must complete the license plate transfer procedure within 30 days after the replacement, either through the online application system of the vehicle management office or by submitting materials in person. I also found significant regional differences; for example, Guangzhou has more lenient conditions for retaining license plates, while Tianjin may be stricter, requiring prior verification of the local traffic management bureau's announcements. It is advisable for vehicle owners to stay updated on policy changes to avoid losing their license plate rights due to lack of awareness. In short, as long as the conditions are met, retaining the license plate should not be a problem.