How Many Cars Can One Person Own?
3 Answers
One person can own multiple cars. From a national legal perspective, cars are considered personal property, and there are no explicit regulations limiting an individual to owning only one vehicle. Therefore, one can purchase multiple cars based on personal needs. When registering a second or additional vehicle, the owner simply needs to bring their valid identification and the relevant vehicle documents to the local vehicle management office to complete procedures such as vehicle registration, modification, transfer, mortgage, or deregistration. The vehicle registration certificate serves as the legal proof of ownership and is kept by the vehicle owner, not carried in the car. This certificate is required for any subsequent vehicle-related procedures, such as transferring ownership or changing registration details, and it records the vehicle's relevant information, functioning as the car's 'ID card.'
From a legal standpoint, there are no mandatory national restrictions on the number of vehicles an individual can own. Theoretically, you could buy multiple cars as long as you can afford the purchase taxes, insurance, and other procedures. However, in reality, you'll encounter many invisible limitations. For example, in major cities like Beijing or Shanghai, you need to participate in a license plate lottery system. If you win, you might only get one plate, meaning you'd have to handle the old plate before switching to a new car, which effectively limits the number you can practically own. Parking space shortages are another real issue, especially in city centers—owning multiple cars means more rental costs and the hassle of finding parking. In my younger days, I impulsively bought two cars, only to end up with one sitting idle most of the time, and the maintenance costs became overwhelming. Now, I've learned my lesson and stick to one car that I enjoy driving. Overall, don’t be tempted by numbers—it’s best to act within your means.
From what I understand, there is no upper limit for individuals buying cars, but the key factors are cost and practical feasibility. Each car purchase involves purchase tax, insurance costs, plus annual inspections and maintenance—the expenses can pile up to a terrifying amount. I have personal experience: when I bought my second car, finding a parking spot became a nightmare. With limited parking spaces in the neighborhood, I had to rent an extra spot, which cost quite a bit of money. Additionally, in multi-car households, vehicle utilization rates are low, and having one car sitting idle is essentially a waste of resources. In big cities, there are also license plate lotteries with tight quotas. For example, under Beijing's rules, an individual is often only allowed one new license plate. My advice is to first consider your actual needs and not blindly pursue quantity. If you really want multiple cars, start by testing the waters with used vehicles to reduce the pressure.
