How long does it take to transfer the original license plate to a new car?
2 Answers
Generally, it takes 15 working days to transfer the original license plate to a new car. Duration for retaining the original license plate: After selling the old car, the original owner can apply to retain and continue using the original license plate without participating in the lottery, directly applying for a renewal indicator. The original owner must submit an application to use the original license plate number when registering the newly purchased vehicle with the vehicle management office within 6 months of obtaining the renewal indicator; otherwise, it will expire and become invalid. Application conditions: To apply for license plate retention, three conditions must be met simultaneously: The vehicle owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years. The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation of registration. All traffic violations and accidents involving the original vehicle must be resolved.
I remember when I changed to a new car last year and kept the old license plate, the whole process took about a month. First, I sold the old car and immediately went to the DMV to apply for retaining the original plate number. Their review took about a week, and they issued a retention certificate valid for six months. Then, I bought a new car, and the 4S dealership helped with the procedures. After getting the new car, I took the retention certificate and purchase documents to complete the transfer. The DMV took another week to approve the new car’s registration. From application to final plate installation, it took no more than three weeks in total. I recommend contacting your local DMV in advance to ask about specific timelines, as policies vary significantly by region—for example, big cities might be faster, while rural areas occasionally take longer. Don’t forget that the retention period shouldn’t expire, or the plate number will be voided, and you’ll have to reapply for a lottery or choose a new number, which would be a huge loss. In short, acting as soon as possible is the safest bet.
