How to Change an Out-of-Town License Plate to a Local One?
2 Answers
Methods for changing an out-of-town license plate to a local one: 1. Process the vehicle change and relocation business at the license plate issuance location: You can make an appointment on the local traffic police official website and fill in the relevant information; prepare the necessary documents: the motor vehicle registration certificate, the original ID card of the owner, the driving license, and the compulsory insurance certificate. Then, drive the vehicle to the designated vehicle management office during the scheduled time slot; the owner needs to obtain the change form, fill it out as required in duplicate, stamp the owner's seal, attach a copy of their ID card, and submit the documents to the registration acceptance window for review. Once the relevant documents are approved, proceed to the inspection window for vehicle uniformity identification and safety performance testing. After the vehicle passes the inspection, go directly to the license plate management window to return the license plate, pay the fee, and wait to receive the file and the temporary vehicle transfer-in business. 2. Process the vehicle transfer-in business at the vehicle management office of the transfer-in location: After successful relocation, proceed with the transfer-in action. Bring the motor vehicle file that meets the transfer-in conditions, the original ID card of the owner, and the corresponding certificates to the acceptance counter to verify whether the procedures are safe and valid; the owner fills out the approval form, and after the review is completed, go to the national tax department to replace the vehicle purchase tax receipt; submit the above documents for registration application. After approval, obtain the pending form, and then the owner can confirm the license plate number at the acceptance window with the pending form. After payment, receive the registration certificate and other relevant materials; then, with the payment receipt and the "License Plate Issuance Notice," collect the motor vehicle license plate. After the owner installs the license plate, go to the acceptance window to produce the motor vehicle driving license and receive the inspection qualification mark; after the motor vehicle registration is completed, send the registration form to the vehicle management department of the local traffic police branch (or brigade).
I just moved here from another city and went through the license plate transfer process. The whole thing was pretty straightforward, but there were a few small steps to pay attention to. First, I went to the vehicle management office in my previous city to retrieve the vehicle records, bringing my ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and original purchase invoice—it took me a whole morning to get it done. Then, back in my current city, I took my proof of residence (like a rental contract or work certificate) straight to the local vehicle management office to apply for the transfer. They had to inspect the car, checking emissions and safety standards, and made sure there were no outstanding traffic violations. As for costs, it included a license plate fee of around 100 RMB and service fees of a few dozen RMB, totaling less than 500. After the transfer, I also remembered to update my car insurance address to avoid any issues with claims. The whole process took two days and went smoothly. If you're new here, go early to avoid long lines, especially during peak hours when the wait can be longer.
