How Long Can the License Plate Be Retained After Vehicle Transfer?
3 Answers
Vehicle transfer allows the license plate to be retained for one year. Below are the specific details regarding license plate retention: 1. Retention Conditions: The vehicle must have been used for at least one year to retain the original license plate, with a retention period of up to 1 year; The original license plate can be retained in cases of vehicle transfer, cancellation, or relocation; Both purchasing used and new vehicles are eligible for license plate retention; All traffic violation records of the original vehicle must be resolved. 2. Main Purpose: The primary purpose of retaining the license plate is to avoid the need for a new license plate number when purchasing a new vehicle. 3. ETC Binding: If the license plate is bound to an ETC, retaining the license plate means there's no need to change ETC information. Additionally, if the license plate is linked to too much information, changing the license plate would require unbinding all existing functions, making the process overly cumbersome.
When I dealt with used cars before, I often encountered issues with license plate retention. In fact, the policy clearly states that the original license plate can be retained for two years after selling the old car, but these two years are calculated from the date of the vehicle transfer registration. You must have used the license plate for at least one year to apply for retention, and don’t forget to settle any outstanding traffic fines. I recommend applying through the DMV app—it’s super convenient. Just upload photos of your documents via your phone, saving you the hassle of queuing in person. If you buy a new car during the retention period, simply inform them during the registration process that you want to use the original license plate, and bring your ID card, the new car’s certificate of conformity, and other required materials. Remember, if you exceed the two-year period, the license plate will be automatically canceled, and you won’t be able to retrieve it. Recently, a friend forgot about the deadline, resulting in the license plate being voided, and he had to apply for a new one through the lottery system again.
I just went through the license plate retention process last year, and the procedure was quite straightforward. The policy allows retaining a license plate for two years, but it must have been continuously used for over 12 months. The most easily overlooked issue is unresolved traffic violation records, which can cause the system to block the application. Remember to clear all violations in advance using the Traffic Management 12123 app, where you can now directly check the processing status. If you purchase a new car during the retention period, simply apply to use the original number during the registration process. When helping a relative with the procedure, I noticed that document requirements might vary slightly by region - for instance, our local office required an additional copy of the residence permit. It's best to call the local DMV for advice beforehand to avoid unnecessary trips. After transferring vehicle ownership, keeping the old vehicle registration certificate safe is particularly important, as it serves as proof of your prior use of that license plate.
