Do I Need to Change License Plates When Changing Cars?
3 Answers
Changing cars requires changing plates. Here is the relevant information: 1. Used cars: If purchasing a used car, you need to re-register the license plate based on the quota. 2. New cars: If switching to a new car, the vehicle management office will reserve the old car's license plate for 6 months. If you have a new car under your name within these 6 months, you can reuse the original license plate without changing the number. Below are three conditions for applying to use the original license plate: 1. Transfer registration: Apply within six months after completing the transfer registration. 2. Original vehicle: The vehicle owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years. 3. Violation handling: All traffic violations and accidents involving the original vehicle must be resolved.
I have personal experience with whether license plates need to be changed when switching cars. Last time I upgraded my ride, I faced the choice: keep the old plate or pick a new number. Actually, a license plate is like a car's ID card—it's tied to the vehicle. After selling your old car, if you're particularly attached to the original number and have used it for over a year, you can apply to keep it for six months to a year. During the retention period, you can reattach the old plate when buying a new or used car, but don’t forget to book an appointment in advance on the Traffic Management 12123 app. If the retention period expires or you simply don’t want the old number, you’ll have to draw a new number on-site at the DMV or self-select one online—new energy vehicles can even choose from the green plate number pool. However, a reminder: spouses can’t directly swap license plates when exchanging cars—they must go through the transfer process to avoid a wasted trip.
Whether you can keep your license plate when changing cars depends on the situation. After studying vehicle management policies for a long time, I've summarized the key points: the original license plate must have been held for at least one year to be retained, and you must apply within one year of disposing of the old car, otherwise it will expire. The retention process is actually not complicated: first transfer or scrap the old car and obtain the certificate, then fill out a retention application form when registering the new car. The cost is the same as normal license plate registration, with no additional fees. However, special attention is required: if it's a company vehicle change, retaining the license plate requires bringing the business license and official seal; for personal vehicle changes, the original owner's ID card and quota documents are needed. Enforcement may vary by region, so it's recommended to call the vehicle management office in advance. During the license plate retention period, no one else can select your number, so you can rest assured about that. Of course, under the new regulations, you can also choose personalized letter combinations, which is particularly popular among young people.
