Does the second retention of a license plate number also require one year?
4 Answers
According to national legal regulations, if the same vehicle has used the same license plate for more than 3 years, the license plate can be retained for one year after the vehicle is transferred or scrapped. After the owner purchases another vehicle, they can continue to use this license plate. Below is an introduction to relevant information about license plate numbers: Function: License plates serve as identification and information registration for vehicles. The main purpose of a license plate number is to identify the vehicle's region of registration through the plate, and it also allows for tracing the vehicle's owner and registration details; Location: License plates are plates hung on the front and rear of the vehicle, typically made of aluminum, iron, plastic, or paper, engraved with the vehicle's registration number, registration region, or other relevant information.
I also thought about this when I changed my car before. I remember the first time I kept the license plate, the car had been used for almost two years, and the procedures went smoothly. Later, when I changed cars again and wanted to keep that plate, I realized there were conditions: the license plate must be under your name for at least a year. Whether it's your first or second time applying to retain the plate, each time they check that one-year requirement. I think this rule is quite reasonable—it prevents people from swapping plates arbitrarily. If you haven't met the one-year mark, don’t rush to apply, or you’ll just waste a trip to the DMV. Usually, pay more attention to vehicle maintenance and don’t go through the hassle of changing plates just to switch cars. In short, the rules are consistent and handled the same way every time.
I've got some experience with this. Every time you want to keep a license plate, there's a time limit to consider. Plate retention isn't a one-time deal - even for subsequent applications, you still need to prove the plate's been used for over a year. That's how the law is written, to prevent number plate abuse. For example, if you change cars within a year of purchase, the DMV will outright reject your application. My advice? Check the requirements well in advance to avoid issues. While there might be minor regional variations, the core rule remains the same. Make it a habit to verify usage duration before changing vehicles - saves you wasted time. Seasoned drivers all understand this regulation is fair.
Keep the license plate when changing cars? Yes, it must be used for at least one year each time. My friend fell into this trap—the first retention was approved, but the second application was rejected because the car had only been used for 8 months. The rule remains unchanged: the license plate must be used for over 12 months. Simply put, the DMV system automatically checks. Don’t overthink it—calculate in advance. Safety first.
