Can the original license plate number be retained when transferring vehicle ownership?
2 Answers
The retention of the original license plate during vehicle ownership transfer depends on the following situations: The original license plate can be retained if the parties involved in the vehicle ownership transfer are spouses. If the vehicle is sold and transferred normally, the license plate cannot be used on the original vehicle. A new license plate must be selected during the transfer process. To retain the original license plate, certain conditions must be met, such as clearing all traffic violations associated with the original vehicle and having used the original license plate for at least one year. The original owner of the used car must provide documents including the vehicle registration certificate, driving license, and ID card. The buyer must provide an ID card, and if they are not local residents, a residence permit or temporary residence certificate is required. Vehicle ownership transfer first requires a vehicle evaluation. The evaluation fee is generally 1%-2% of the assessed vehicle value, and other fees include those for the license plate and driving license. The original commercial insurance for the vehicle can be canceled (compulsory insurance cannot be canceled), or the insurance can be transferred to the buyer at the insurance company. Precautions when purchasing 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 or unpaid fees can cause endless trouble for the buyer. Therefore, buyers should be cautious if the seller cannot provide complete documentation. Tampering with the odometer. Many buyers judge a car's condition based on the odometer reading, and sellers often take advantage of this by tampering with the odometer. The odometer is not just an indicator of usage but also a record for maintenance and part replacements. If maintenance is based on a tampered odometer reading, it can lead to potential safety hazards. New paint hiding damage. When buying a used car, if the car has been repainted and there are signs of repairs on the front, rear, or around the A, B, and C pillars, the car may have been involved in a major accident. Overhauling the engine to inflate the price. Many buyers focus too much on the engine and overlook the overall condition of the car. Sellers take advantage of this by replacing engine parts to make the engine appear newer and inflate the price.
When I helped a friend with a vehicle transfer before, I learned that the original license plate number usually can't be directly retained on the sold car because the plate is tied to that specific vehicle. After the transfer, the DMV will reclaim it, and the new owner must register for a new plate. However, if you're the original owner and particularly attached to that plate, you can apply to retain it yourself—provided the plate has been used for over a year, has no outstanding violations or unpaid fines, and you must purchase a new vehicle within six months to reuse it. The process sounds a bit cumbersome but is quite practical, preventing the loss of a favorite plate while reminding you to promptly check your vehicle's condition and regulations, avoiding delays in the application.
