Can the original owner's license plate be used after vehicle transfer?
2 Answers
The new owner of a transferred vehicle cannot continue to use the original license plate number. While the vehicle can undergo second-hand transfer procedures, the license plate is not transferable. Vehicle transfer requires changing the license plate. License plates are considered national public property and do not belong to any individual or group. The owner only has the right to use the license plate, not ownership. During the vehicle transfer process, the original license plate and vehicle registration certificate must be surrendered, and a new license plate number must be determined. The owner must then apply for vehicle transfer registration at the local vehicle management center, which will issue a new license plate. The original owner needs to provide the following documents for second-hand vehicle transfer: vehicle registration certificate, vehicle registration document (license), and ID card. The buyer needs to provide an ID card, and if they are from another region, a residence permit or temporary residence certificate is required. Vehicle transfer first requires a vehicle evaluation. The evaluation fee is generally 1%-2% of the assessed vehicle value, while other costs include fees for the license plate and vehicle registration document. The original owner's commercial vehicle insurance 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: vehicle registration certificate (or original purchase invoice), vehicle registration document, vehicle purchase tax payment certificate, road maintenance fee documentation, and compulsory insurance. Missing vehicle registration certificates or documents, or unpaid compulsory insurance or 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 vehicle's condition, and sellers often take advantage of this by tampering with the odometer. In reality, the odometer not only records usage intensity but also serves as a record for the maintenance and replacement of other vehicle components. If the buyer follows the maintenance schedule based on a tampered odometer, it can lead to a series of potential safety hazards. New paint covering damage. When buying a used car, if the car has been repainted and there are signs of repair around the front, rear, or A, B, and C pillars, the vehicle may have been involved in a major accident. Overhauling the engine to increase the price. Many buyers focus too much on the car's engine and overlook the health of the vehicle body. Used car sellers take advantage of this by replacing engine components to make the vehicle's "heart" appear younger, thereby inflating the price.
Generally, the original license plate number cannot continue to be used after a vehicle transfer. As someone who often helps friends with transfers, I've seen many cases where the license plate is tied to the original owner's identity information and is canceled during the transfer. The new owner needs to go to the DMV to select a new number or apply to retain the original one, provided certain conditions are met, such as the original plate being used for more than three years. I've previously advised new owners not to cut corners and to complete the procedures early. After getting a new plate, it should be installed promptly to avoid fines on the road. The process at the DMV is straightforward—when choosing a number, pick one that looks good and don't dwell too much on the old plate. Remember, after the transfer, check things like the vehicle lights to ensure safe driving, which can prevent future hassles.