How long can the original license plate be retained after vehicle transfer?
4 Answers
After the transfer of a motor vehicle, the original license plate can be retained for six months. Upon completing the vehicle transfer registration, the original owner of the vehicle can apply to the vehicle management office to use the original license plate. License plates serve as identification and information registration for vehicles, allowing people to determine the vehicle's region of registration and access details about the owner and registration information. Conditions for applying to use the original license plate number: 1. The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation of registration; 2. The original owner must have owned the vehicle for more than three years; 3. All traffic violations and accident records related to the original vehicle must be resolved.
I recently handled license plate retention. The policy allows plates to be retained for two years. Note this period starts from the date you transfer or deregister the vehicle, not from when you buy a new car. For example, I sold my old car last June, so I can use the original plate for a new purchase until June next year. Additionally, plates must meet retention criteria: they must have been continuously used for at least one year, all traffic fines must be cleared, and they can only be used on new vehicles of the same type. I applied for retention in advance via the 12123 app, and the DMV will verify eligibility. After the two-year period expires, the plate automatically becomes invalid – this is especially important to note.
Our company fleet encountered this situation when we unified vehicle replacements last year. The retention period is a total of 24 months, but we discovered some details during the actual application process: the license plate is tied to the vehicle, and the original owner must apply to retain it. Even if you purchase a new energy vehicle during the retention period, you can still use the old license plate—my colleague did exactly that last month. Recently, the policy has been relaxed; previously, you had to wait six months to retain a plate, but now that's no longer necessary. A reminder: don’t cut it too close with timing; applying three months in advance is the safest bet, as incomplete materials might cause delays. It’s best to go directly to the DMV window to inquire, as it’s more accurate than checking information online.
I remember when I changed cars, I specifically researched this. The DMV staff told me there's a two-year retention period. The key point is the duration of use—the license plate under your name must be registered for at least 12 months before it can be retained. For example, my dad's car was used for three years before transferring ownership, and the plate was directly passed on to me. However, the month of transfer doesn't count towards the two-year period; the clock starts fresh from the following month. To save money, plan your car change within this timeframe. Exceeding the deadline means you'll have to pay again for a new plate number.
