Do I need to change the license plate when transferring vehicle ownership?
3 Answers
Yes, the license plate needs to be changed. Article 12 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations" stipulates that when the vehicle management office handles the modification registration of a motor vehicle, if the motor vehicle license plate number needs to be changed, the license plate and driving license will be reclaimed, a new motor vehicle license plate number will be determined, and the license plate, driving license, and inspection qualification mark will be reissued. Article 13 states that if the domicile of the motor vehicle owner moves out of the jurisdiction area of the vehicle management office, the vehicle management office shall, within three days from the date of acceptance, annotate the modification matters on the motor vehicle registration certificate, reclaim the license plate and driving license, issue a temporary driving license plate valid for 30 days, and hand over the motor vehicle files to the motor vehicle owner. The motor vehicle owner shall apply for the transfer of the motor vehicle to the vehicle management office at the new domicile within the validity period of the temporary driving license plate. Documents required from the original owner for a used car transfer include: the 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 certificate is required. Vehicle transfer first requires a vehicle evaluation. The evaluation fee is generally 1%-2% of the evaluated vehicle price, and other fees include those for the license plate and driving license. The original commercial insurance of the vehicle can be canceled (compulsory insurance cannot be canceled), or it can be transferred to the buyer at the insurance company. Precautions when purchasing a used car: Incomplete procedures. Complete procedures for a used car include: the vehicle registration certificate (or original purchase invoice), driving license, vehicle purchase tax payment certificate, road maintenance fee procedures, and compulsory insurance. Missing documents like 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 procedures, consumers should be especially cautious. Tampering with the odometer. Most consumers prefer to judge the condition of a car by the odometer, and sellers often take advantage of this by tampering with it. The odometer is not just a record of usage intensity but also a recorder for the maintenance and replacement of other vehicle parts. If the buyer follows the tampered odometer for maintenance, it can lead to a series of potential safety hazards. New paint covering external damage. When consumers choose a used car, if the car has been repainted and there are signs of repair around the front, rear, and A, B, C pillars, the car may have been involved in a major accident. Adjusting the engine to raise the price. Many consumers focus too much on the engine when buying a car and neglect the health of the car body. Used car sellers take advantage of this by replacing engine parts to make the engine appear younger, thereby increasing the price.
Is it necessary to change the license plate during vehicle transfer? This is a pretty common question. I remember that in the past, the license plate stayed with the vehicle, but now many places have changed their policies, such as big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, where the license plate follows the owner. So if the original owner doesn’t retain the license plate, a new one will generally be issued during the transfer. When I went through the transfer process, I brought my ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and driving license, first went to the DMV to file the paperwork, and then waited for the new owner to select a new plate number. The whole process takes a few days and costs a few hundred yuan. It’s important to note that if the license plate is a lucky number, there might be additional conditions to retain it. Don’t forget about releasing the lien and transferring the compulsory insurance, as these affect the smoothness of the transfer. Overall, the government promotes the lottery system to control vehicle numbers, so changing license plates has become the norm. It’s recommended to make an online appointment in advance to save time and avoid long queues.
I just transferred the ownership of my car last year and was initially worried about the license plate issue. Turns out, it really needs to be changed, as most cities now implement the policy where the license plate follows the person, not the car. During the transfer, the original owner can apply to retain the old plate, but certain conditions must be met, such as how long it has been used. The new owner needs to either choose a new number or get one assigned randomly. When I was queuing at the DMV, I saw many people being turned away for not having all the required documents. A reminder to everyone: prepare the purchase invoice, insurance policy, and proof of traffic violation settlement. The cost isn't high, just around a hundred bucks plus the plate selection fee. If it's an inter-province transfer, it's more complicated and might require a plate change. Don't just focus on the license plate; also check the condition of the used car, like the engine and tires, to ensure safety. After the transfer, remember to update the insurance policy with the new owner's name.
