Can the original license plate be retained during vehicle transfer?
4 Answers
Can the original license plate be retained during vehicle transfer? The conditions for retaining the original license plate are: 1. The vehicle must have been used for at least one year to retain the original license plate, and the retention period can last up to 1 year; 2. The original license plate can be retained in cases of vehicle transfer, cancellation, or relocation; 3. Both purchasing a used car and a new car are eligible for applying to retain the original license plate; 4. All traffic violation records of the original vehicle must be cleared. License plates, commonly known as vehicle plates, refer to the plates attached to the front and rear of a vehicle. They are typically made of aluminum, sheet metal, plastic, or paper, and display the vehicle's registration number, registration region, or other relevant information. The purpose of a license plate is to identify the vehicle's registered region.
When I sold my car last time, I was particularly concerned about whether the original license plate could be retained. After consulting the DMV, I learned there was indeed a method. There are mainly three conditions to meet: first, the license plate must have been under my name for a full year; second, the application to retain it must be made within two years after selling the car; and third, all traffic violation records of the old car must be cleared. On the day of the transfer, I made sure to arrive early. The staff at the counter had me fill out an application form and then return the old license plate. The whole process was smoother than I expected, and I received a notification in about two weeks that I could continue using this plate number. Later, when I bought a new car, I brought the retention certificate to register it. During the plate selection process, presenting the proof allowed me to continue using the familiar number. It's advisable to clear any vehicle violations beforehand, as they might affect the processing time.
Last week, I just helped a relative complete the license plate retention procedure, and the process is actually quite straightforward. If the original owner wants to retain the license plate, the most critical deadline is that the application must be submitted within two years after selling the vehicle—a timeframe many people tend to overlook. Additionally, the license plate must have been used for at least 12 months, and frequent vehicle changes during this period are not allowed. When handling the procedure at the DMV, remember to bring the vehicle registration certificate and your ID card. After filling out the application form on-site, you'll need to surrender the old license plate. My relative was initially worried about the process being cumbersome, but from submitting the application to receiving the retention certificate, it only took about ten days. However, it's important to note that the retention eligibility is only valid for two years; after that, you'll have to go through the lottery process again.
I recently completed the vehicle transfer process and successfully retained the original license plate. The key points are ensuring the plate has been used for over a year with no outstanding violations, and the retention can be processed within two years after transfer. When I went to the DMV, the staff had me sign an application form and then took away the old plate. A temporary plate was used until the new one arrived. I received the retention certificate in about two weeks, which allows me to use the original plate number when purchasing a new car. The whole process wasn't as complicated as I imagined—it was completed quickly as long as all documents were in order. I recommend checking the vehicle's violation records before initiating the transfer.
