Does Buying a Used Car Include the License Plate?
2 Answers
Buying a used car does not include the license plate. Below are the relevant materials required for vehicle license plate registration: 1. Identity proof of the vehicle owner. 2. Proof of vehicle origin, such as the purchase invoice. 3. Proof of vehicle compliance with whole-vehicle factory standards or import documentation for imported vehicles. 4. Proof of payment of vehicle purchase tax or tax exemption certificate. 5. Proof of compulsory traffic accident liability insurance for motor vehicles. 6. Proof of payment or tax exemption for vehicle and vessel tax. 7. Other proofs or certificates required by laws and administrative regulations during vehicle registration.
Let me share a personal experience. Last week, I accompanied a friend to pick up a car at a used car market, only to find that the original owner had already removed the license plate. The dealer told us that the typical used car transaction process is: first, make the payment, transfer ownership, and sign the contract. Then, both the buyer and seller take the documents to the DMV. That's when the license plate issue is actually addressed—the old plate is directly recycled, and a new plate is issued to the new owner. Remember to remind the original owner to remove the ETC device in advance. My friend encountered a situation where the ETC wasn't canceled, and they got charged for highway tolls. After the transfer, the green title will bear the new owner's name, and the temporary license plate can be used for about 15 days. So don't expect to use the license plate already on the car directly; you must go through the proper procedures to get a new one.
