Can the Original License Plate Be Used When Transferring Vehicle Ownership?
2 Answers
When transferring vehicle ownership, the original owner can choose to retain the original license plate. After the vehicle ownership transfer, the original license plate can be applied for retention within two years. The right to use the license plate is retained for two years after the transfer, meaning that if the original license plate is not used within these two years, the license plate number will be automatically canceled. If you still want to keep the original license plate after the transfer, you should promptly apply to the relevant authorities to use the license plate on your newly purchased vehicle to continue using it. Otherwise, it will be considered automatically void. To retain the original license plate, certain conditions must be met, such as clearing all traffic violation records associated with the original vehicle and having used the original license plate for at least one year. The documents required for the original owner during a used car transfer include the vehicle registration certificate, driving license, and ID card. The buyer needs to provide an ID card, and if they are from another city, a residence permit or temporary residence permit is required. Vehicle transfer first requires a vehicle evaluation, with the evaluation fee generally being 1%-2% of the assessed vehicle value. Other fees include those for the license plate and driving license. The original owner's commercial insurance can be canceled (compulsory insurance cannot be canceled), or the insurance can be transferred to the buyer at the insurance company. Things to note when buying a used car: Incomplete documentation. Complete documentation for a used car includes the vehicle registration certificate (or original purchase invoice), driving license, vehicle purchase tax payment certificate, road maintenance fee records, and compulsory insurance. Missing documents such as the vehicle registration certificate or driving license, or unpaid compulsory insurance and road maintenance fees, can cause endless trouble for the buyer. Therefore, if the seller cannot provide complete documentation, the buyer should be especially cautious. Tampering with the odometer. Many buyers rely on the odometer to judge a car's condition, and sellers often take advantage of this by tampering with the odometer. The odometer is not just a record of usage intensity but also an indicator for the maintenance and replacement of other vehicle parts. If maintenance is based on a tampered odometer reading, it can lead to a series of potential safety hazards. New paint covering 'injuries.' When buying a used car, if the car has been repainted and there are signs of repairs around the front, rear, and A, B, C pillars, it is highly likely that the car has been involved in a major accident. 'Tuning the heart' to raise the price. Many buyers focus too much on the car's 'heart' (engine) and neglect the health of the car's body. Used car sellers take advantage of this by replacing engine parts to make the 'heart' appear younger, thereby inflating the price.
I've been driving for over twenty years and have gone through several vehicle transfers. Whether you can keep your original license plate mainly depends on how long you've held it. Generally, the plate must be registered for at least one year before you can apply to retain it. After a transfer, the license plate cannot be directly transferred to the new owner; however, as the original owner, you can use this old plate on a new vehicle you purchase within six months. Each time I've done this, I first submitted an application to the DMV, providing materials such as my ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and paying a small fee. Once approved, it's all set. Retaining a license plate can save you some money and hassle, especially for plates with special numbers that hold significant sentimental value. However, note that a new plate will be automatically assigned to the vehicle involved in the sale—never attempt to drive with the old plate, as it could result in fines. Handling the paperwork early ensures your travel plans aren't delayed.
