Can the license plate be retained when selling a car?
3 Answers
Selling a car can retain the license plate. The required documents include: 1. ID card and its copy. 2. "Motor Vehicle Transfer or Registration Application Form". 3. Proof of compulsory traffic insurance. 4. Annual inspection certificate. 5. Whole vehicle factory certificate. 6. Proof of motor vehicle origin. 7. For imported vehicles, import certificates, proof of purchase tax payment, and various documents submitted during vehicle registration are required. The conditions for retaining the original license plate after selling the car are as follows: 1. The vehicle must have been used for at least one year to retain the original license plate, and the retention period can be up to one year. 2. The original license plate can be retained in case of vehicle transfer, cancellation, or relocation. 3. Both purchasing a used car and a new car can apply for retention. 4. All traffic violation records of the original vehicle must be settled.
Can the license plate be retained after selling a car? I've been through this. Simply put, most regions allow license plate retention, but certain conditions must be met: First, the plate must have been used for over one year. Second, you need to apply for retention at the traffic management office either before selling the car or immediately after the transaction. You'll need to bring your ID card and the original vehicle registration certificate, fill out a form, and pay a small fee (usually a few dozen yuan) to reserve the plate for 6 months to 1 year for new vehicle registration. Don't miss the deadline, or the number will be reclaimed. My plate has my initials, so I didn't want to change it—retaining it saved me the hassle of reapplying for a new one. In larger cities where plate resources are scarce, retaining your plate helps avoid intense lottery competitions, making the process more convenient and efficient. Note that rules vary slightly by city; for example, Beijing may have emission standard requirements, so it's best to check in advance.
Last time I sold my old car, I had used the license plate number for five years and couldn't bear to give it up. I went to the DMV to inquire, and the staff explained: as long as the original plate has been used for over a year, you can apply to retain the plate number for more than three months. I spent some time filling out the forms, the fee was low, and I successfully retained it. Later, when I bought a new car, I presented the retention proof and directly used the old number. There are many benefits—not only is it hassle-free, but you can also preserve the asset value if the plate is valuable. A friend's story: someone had a license plate with anniversary numbers and insisted on waiting until the retention period expired to buy a new car before hitting the road. It's advisable to plan before selling your car and avoid rushing when you need it urgently. With the rise of electronic license plates, the process might be simplified in the future.
