Can the license plate number be transferred along with the car?
2 Answers
Vehicle license plates cannot be transferred along with the car during ownership transfer. Currently, license plates are tied to the person, not the vehicle, so they cannot be transferred with the car or separately. Using the original license plate on a new car: When a vehicle is transferred, the license plate number is canceled during the transfer process. However, the owner can apply to use the original license plate number on a new car after the transfer or scrapping of the old vehicle. Documents required for vehicle transfer: Vehicle registration certificate, vehicle license, supplementary vehicle registration form, vehicle purchase tax certificate, ID cards of both buyer and seller, household registration booklet. For non-local residents, a residence permit is required, and the buyer's residence permit must be valid for at least one year.
To be honest, when transferring vehicle ownership, the license plate number generally cannot be directly transferred along with the car. The license plate is tied to the original owner personally, so during the transfer process, the old plate must first be deregistered, and the new owner needs to apply for a new number. This is because policies stipulate that each license plate is linked to a specific owner and vehicle record to prevent fraudulent transactions or misuse of plates. The original owner can apply to retain their old license plate, but typically they must purchase a new vehicle within a certain time frame to reuse that number. As a buyer, don’t expect to keep the old plate during the transfer—you’ll need to follow the proper procedures: first submit the required documents to the DMV, select a new plate number, and after passing the vehicle inspection, receive the new plate. The whole process may take a few days, so it’s advisable to prepare the transfer documents (such as the vehicle registration and ID) in advance to avoid last-minute hassles. Remember to update the vehicle insurance and registration details promptly after the transfer; otherwise, you might be stopped for inspection on the road, leading to unnecessary trouble. Be thorough with used car transactions—don’t trip up on small details.
