How long can you keep your own license plate number after transferring ownership?

[VanGriffin]

You can retain your original license plate number for six months after transferring ownership. According to Article 52 of the 'Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations', when the original owner applies for registration of a newly purchased motor vehicle after completing a transfer or cancellation of registration, they may apply to the vehicle management office to use the original license plate number. To apply for the use of the original license plate number, the following conditions must be met: 1. The application must be submitted within six months after completing the transfer or cancellation of registration. 2. The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years. 3. All traffic violations and accident liabilities related to the original vehicle must be resolved.

[OLeonardo]

Last time when my relative went through the license plate transfer process, they specifically consulted the DMV. The current policy allows retaining the original license plate for a full year (365 days). There are several key points to note: the application must be filed by the original owner, the plate must have been used for over 1 year to initiate the process, and it can only be used on a newly purchased vehicle—it cannot be transferred to another person. I recommend completing the new vehicle registration as soon as possible after the transfer, as the system will automatically reclaim the number after one year. The staff repeatedly emphasized bringing all required documents like ID card and vehicle registration certificate—missing even one page means having to make another trip.

[MacOscar]

Last time when my neighbor Brother Li was changing his car, he encountered this issue. He was particularly reluctant to part with his leopard-pattern license plate that he had been using for seven or eight years. The vehicle management office said the license plate retention period is 12 months, but two conditions must be met: first, the original license plate must have been registered under his name for at least 1 year, and second, the newly purchased car must be registered under his own name. Interestingly, he could still use his original blue license plate number when buying a new energy vehicle, but remember to complete the deregistration procedures for the original car before applying for the new license plate, and don’t exceed the time window. It’s recommended to bring the green vehicle registration book and ID card when handling the procedures, and you can also operate the extension on the 12123 APP on-site.

[VonEzra]

A friend from the vehicle management office mentioned that the license plate retention period is now basically unified nationwide to 1 year, but cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen with lottery systems may have additional requirements. The original owner must apply to retain the plate before selling the old car, and the license plate must have been used by you for at least 1 year. Key reminder: Both new energy vehicles and fuel vehicles can now use retained license plates interchangeably. However, during the transfer of a used car, do not forget to complete the original license plate transfer registration. Recently, many people have had their license numbers invalidated due to this small oversight. It's best to ask the staff to help with the retention registration on the day of the transfer.

[Aiden]

A friend just went through the license plate retention process: First, complete the transfer or cancellation of the old vehicle, and you can apply for the original plate retention on the spot; then, you must purchase a new vehicle within 12 months to use this plate. Note that the original plate must have been registered under your name for at least one year, and swapping plates between spouses does not qualify for retention. Last month, I accompanied him to the DMV, where the clerk specifically reminded him not to change his phone number during the retention period, as it could prevent receiving system notifications. Now, you can also check the retention countdown online via 12123, which is much more convenient than in previous years.

[NaomiFitz]

Helped a colleague with license plate retention before, and the process is actually just three steps: apply for cancellation when trading in the old car → the system automatically locks the plate for 365 days → directly select the original number when buying a new car. However, remember that the original license plate must have been continuously used under your name for at least one year, and in cities with license plate lotteries, you also need to have the qualification for indicator renewal. My colleague only realized last month when buying a used car that retained plates can't be used if they weren't originally under their name. Additionally, if the original car has unresolved violations, the license plate can't be retained either. What makes it a bit easier now is that you no longer need to obtain a temporary paper license plate; an electronic certificate is sufficient for driving during the retention period.