Do Private Cars Need to Change License Plates During Transfer?
2 Answers
Private cars need to change license plates during transfer. Here are the specific conditions under which the original owner can retain the original license plate: Transfer or Scrapping of the Old Vehicle: If the original owner has used the license plate for at least one year, they can retain the original license plate number. During the transfer process, the license plate number will automatically be reserved under the original owner's name for one year, without the need for additional retention procedures. Application Within One Year After Transfer: Within one year after the vehicle transfer, the original owner can apply to the vehicle management office to use the original license plate number. If the original owner does not apply to use it within this one-year period, the license plate number will be returned to the selection pool and made available to the public.
I just helped a friend with the transfer of a private car, and it does require changing the license plate. The whole process is quite simple. Both the buyer and seller need to bring their ID cards, vehicle registration certificate, and insurance policy to the DMV. The staff will inspect the vehicle condition and documents, then issue a new plate. The cost is not expensive, usually around 100-200 yuan. Getting a new plate helps avoid disputes caused by residual information from the previous owner, such as if someone uses the old plate for illegal activities, the new owner might be held responsible. Also, it's recommended to clear any traffic violations and settle the insurance before the transfer to save time. Some places might have slight differences, but most cities enforce plate changes. It took me just an afternoon to complete, which was pretty quick. If you don't have time, you can hire an agent, but it will cost extra.
