How long is the retention period for the original license plate?
4 Answers
The retention period for the original license plate is two years. The conditions for retaining the license plate are: 1. The original license plate must have been used for more than one year, and the retention period is two years, calculated from the date of completion of the transfer or cancellation registration; 2. When the vehicle is transferred, relocated, or canceled, you can apply to retain the original license plate when purchasing a new car or a used car; 3. All traffic violations and accident handling for the vehicle must be completed. License plates serve as the identification numbers for vehicles, with their primary function being to identify the province, city, or county to which the vehicle belongs. The vehicle management office can trace the owner through the license plate. License plates refer to vehicle registration plates, which are metal or plastic plates attached to the front and rear of a vehicle, displaying the vehicle's registration number, registration region, and other relevant information.
I've been driving for decades and remember that the original license plate retention period was valid for one year from the date of vehicle transfer or cancellation. When I bought a new car last year, I specifically consulted the DMV: the old license plate must be applied for retention and used on the new car within 365 days, otherwise it will expire and become invalid. This period is sufficient to arrange transactions, but don't delay, as the application process requires submitting documents such as ID cards and vehicle licenses, and also requires a vehicle inspection to confirm matching. Missing the deadline means the license plate will be reclaimed, and you'll be randomly assigned a new number next time, which is quite troublesome. It is recommended that car owners plan their vehicle replacement schedule in advance, such as completing the process within a month after buying or selling a vehicle, to avoid regretting the loss of a favorite plate number. By the way, policies in some regions are more lenient, but one year is the mainstream standard.
I just learned to drive a year ago, and initially didn't know about the license plate retention period until a friend told me: after selling or canceling your old car, the license plate can be retained for one year. This means you have one year to buy a new car or choose to keep the original plate during the transfer process. If you miss the deadline, the number will automatically become available for others to use, wasting it for nothing. Looking back on my car change last year, I missed the application by two months and had to go through the lottery process again. The lesson is that the vehicle management office system will remind you of the time nodes, and you can also check the remaining days online. A reminder to new drivers: retaining your license plate number saves both hassle and money, so don't wait until the last minute to handle the procedures. If you're really too busy, hiring an agent service doesn't cost much either.
After handling numerous vehicle-related matters, the original license plate retention period is generally fixed at one year. Starting from the vehicle deregistration date, you must apply to activate it on a new vehicle within 365 days. If overdue, the system will automatically release the plate number and restore it to its original status. The entire process is simple: just bring your ID card and vehicle certificate to the DMV for registration. Note that the new vehicle model must comply with regulations, otherwise it may be rejected. Although the deadline is ample, delays may occur due to holiday backlogs, so leaving some buffer time is wise. If unused by the deadline, all efforts will be in vain, so it's better to act promptly.
