Can the license plate number be changed, and how many times can it be changed?

[RichardLee]

License plate numbers cannot be changed unless the vehicle is deregistered and then re-registered. Below are the relevant details: Detail 1: After registration, the license plate number cannot be changed because current license plates are for life and cannot be bought or sold. The only way is to transfer ownership of the vehicle. After the transfer, you can reapply for registration and then choose a new number. Detail 2: If you have only selected a number online but have not registered it, you can change the plate number. After selecting a number, the owner should submit the required documents to the vehicle management office within the specified time to apply for registration.

[MacGenevieve]

When I sold my old car and bought a new one, the license plate was changed accordingly, and the whole process went smoothly. In China, you can't change your license plate number at will; it must meet specific conditions, such as selling your car, buying a used car, scrapping the vehicle, or transferring it to family or friends. Only under these circumstances is a plate change necessary. Theoretically, there's no limit to the number of changes—if you repeatedly buy and sell cars, trading several times a year, your license plate could change multiple times. However, in real life, the average person might only change cars once or twice a decade, so the number of changes is limited. My last transfer took half a day: I went to the DMV to submit documents and apply for a new plate number, and it cost around 100 yuan to get it done. Some people mistakenly believe they can change plates freely to pick lucky numbers, but policy doesn’t allow it—license plate numbers are tied to the VIN and can only be changed during a transfer. Frequent changes aren’t beneficial either; each one involves paperwork and costs, so it’s better to just focus on driving.

[Robles]

As a car enthusiast, I've thoroughly researched the rules regarding license plate changes. Under China's traffic regulations, license plate numbers cannot be changed arbitrarily. Changes mainly occur during vehicle ownership transfers, such as when buying/selling vehicles or transferring ownership to others. Theoretically, there's no explicit limit on the number of changes - you could change plates infinitely through vehicle transactions. But in reality, for example, if you buy a used car, drive it for a few years, then sell it, that counts as one change. If the car changes hands multiple times within a year, the license plate can change multiple times accordingly. I'd advise against changing too frequently, as each change requires visiting the vehicle management office to complete procedures, submitting original vehicle documents and certification papers, which takes one or two days. Regulations also state that license plate numbers generally cannot be retained unless special circumstances warrant applying to keep the old number. In summary, changing plates isn't difficult but shouldn't be abused - normal vehicle transactions are fine, but don't frequently buy/sell cars just to change plate numbers.

[VanMolly]

I've been driving for decades. In the past, license plates were rarely changed, only when moving cities. Now the policy clearly states that license plate numbers can be changed with no limit on frequency, but only during vehicle transfers, scrapping, or sales. Ordinary people don't change plates often - like me, I've only changed mine once in ten years. It's a simple process, just go to the DMV. While there's no cap on changes, don't overdo it. Frequent changes are meaningless and just create inconvenience.

[LaSadie]

As a young driver, I find changing license plates quite convenient but with limitations. Plate replacement is only allowed during vehicle transactions, and there's theoretically no upper limit to the number of changes—if you buy a new car every six months, you can change plates more frequently. The process basically involves applying for a new number at the vehicle management office, which is low-cost but time-consuming. Don’t expect to change plates casually in daily life; policies don’t allow random plate modifications, as changes only occur during ownership transfers. I think normal car usage doesn’t require frequent plate changes, saving time and effort.

[LaLondyn]

I have extensive experience in changing license plate numbers. Theoretically, there's no upper limit to how many times you can change it, such as through multiple vehicle transactions. However, changes require specific conditions, like transferring vehicle ownership – don't attempt unauthorized modifications. I've seen people frequently trade vehicles just for auspicious numbers, which actually creates more trouble than it's worth. Following regulations is the safest approach – keep it simple.