How Long Can You Keep Your License Plate After Selling Your Car?
2 Answers
After selling your car, if the vehicle has been held for more than 3 years, the owner can apply to retain the license plate for 6 months when completing the vehicle transfer procedures. During this period, the original owner can purchase another vehicle and apply to use the retained license plate. If the deadline is exceeded, the original license plate will be reclaimed by the vehicle management office. A license plate, commonly referred to as a car plate, is a panel hung on the front and rear of a vehicle, typically made of aluminum, sheet iron, plastic, or paper, displaying the vehicle's registration number, registration region, or other relevant information. License plates serve as identification and information registration for vehicles, with their primary function being to identify the vehicle's region of registration and to trace the vehicle's owner and registration details through the plate number.
I have a deep personal experience with retaining license plates after selling a car. I remember when I sold my old car, the license plate could be retained for exactly half a year, which is 6 months, calculated from the date of vehicle transfer registration. I almost missed the deadline back then, but fortunately I checked the policy in advance. The conditions are that the license plate must have been continuously used under the owner's name for more than one year, and the vehicle must not have any outstanding traffic violations. If you fail to process it before the deadline, the license plate system will automatically cancel it, and the new owner won't be able to use it. I suggest going to the DMV to apply for retention immediately after selling the car, bringing your ID card and relevant documents—the process is quite convenient. Don't underestimate this; retaining a good license plate means you can continue using it when buying a new car later, saving you the hassle of reapplying for one. I've also seen a neighbor forget to do it, and after six months, the license plate was gone—they regretted it deeply. Rules may vary slightly in different cities, so it's best to check the local traffic management bureau's official website to ensure everything goes smoothly.