Do I Need to Drive the Car Back to Its Original Location for License Plate Transfer After a Second-Hand Car Ownership Transfer?
3 Answers
After the ownership transfer of a second-hand car, it is necessary to drive the car back to its original location for license plate registration, fill out an application form, and submit the vehicle for inspection. The vehicle management office will inspect the car, verify the vehicle identification number (VIN) imprint, review the submitted documents and certificates, retrieve the old license plate and vehicle registration certificate, and issue a new license plate number. The transfer details will be noted in the vehicle registration book, and new license plates, inspection qualification marks, and a new vehicle registration certificate will be issued. When processing the vehicle relocation procedures, the original license plate and registration certificate will be retrieved, and a temporary license plate valid for 30 days will be issued. This temporary plate must be kept safely as it must be surrendered when completing the relocation process. A prerequisite for transferring an out-of-town vehicle is that the purchased vehicle meets the emission standards of the destination region's policy; otherwise, the transfer will not be permitted.
To be honest, I've bought used cars multiple times, and when it comes to transferring the license plate back to the original location after the ownership transfer, you usually have to drive the car back. The DMV needs to physically inspect the vehicle to verify details like the VIN and engine number to prevent license plate cloning or fraud. If you don't bring the car, they can't verify these details, and the plate transfer process will stall. Once, I tried to save effort by having someone else handle the inspection, but it turned into a huge hassle—I had to notarize a power of attorney and pay extra fees for an agent. In the end, I still had to drive there myself. Although it cost some gas money, it saved me time and headaches. I recommend contacting the local DMV in advance to confirm the process to avoid wasted trips. In short, driving there is the most reliable approach—don't cut corners.
As someone who frequently buys and sells used cars, I don't think driving the car back is absolutely necessary, but in practice, it's best to drive it. The DMV has inspection requirements and needs to check the actual condition of the vehicle, so you generally need to be present. If the distance is too far to drive conveniently, you can authorize someone else to handle it for you, but you'll need a formal power of attorney and a notarized copy of your ID. I've tried using an agent before, but ended up having to repeatedly submit additional documents, which delayed the registration process. On the other hand, driving there directly gets everything done in a few hours and saves on agency fees. My advice is to weigh the distance against your available time—driving is always the safest option. Don't listen to others who claim you can skip the inspection; regulations don't change that easily.
