How to Retain License Plate When Changing Cars?

[DominicFitz]

You can apply to retain the use of your license plate at the vehicle management office. According to Article 52 of the 'Automobile Registration Regulations,' after completing the transfer or cancellation of the vehicle registration, the original vehicle owner can apply to use the original license plate number when registering a newly purchased vehicle. Here are more details: 1. Conditions for using the original license plate: a. Apply within six months after completing the transfer or cancellation of registration. b. The vehicle owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years. c. All traffic violations and accidents related to the original vehicle must be resolved. 2. The old vehicle must first undergo transfer or scrapping. After completion, register the new vehicle at the vehicle management office within three working days. If retaining the original license plate for a scrapped vehicle, the scrapping certificate must be presented.

[MacJuliet]

When I changed my car last year, I personally handled the license plate retention process, which wasn’t actually difficult. The key is to first confirm that the old license plate had been used for at least one year, and then fill out the retention application form during the vehicle sale and transfer. Here’s the crucial part: you must purchase a new car and re-register this plate within two years, or it will expire. I learned the hard way when dealing with traffic violations—I highly recommend paying all fines at least one week before selling the car. When registering the new car, just bring your ID card and the old vehicle transfer certificate directly to the DMV and tell the staff you want to use the retained plate. The whole process takes about half an hour, though queuing might take two hours. Oh, and procedures may vary by city, so it’s best to call the local DMV beforehand to confirm the required documents to avoid multiple trips.

[VonGriffin]

I have experience in keeping license plates when changing cars: First, the old car must have used this license plate for more than 12 months. Then, when selling or scrapping the old car, actively apply to retain the plate. The two-year validity period is crucial—once expired, the plate returns to the system pool. Remember to clear all traffic violations before selling the car, or you might get stuck at the final step. When registering the new car, go directly to the reserved license plate channel and fill out the forms. Don’t forget to bring the new car’s purchase invoice and registration certificate. A friend of mine failed to inform the dealership to use the old plate in time and ended up with a default new number, which was a real shame. My advice is to closely monitor the DMV process throughout—don’t rely on agents; this is something you must handle personally.

[DiAdeline]

To retain your old license plate when changing cars, three main conditions must be met: The old plate must have been used for at least one year, you must apply within two years after selling the car, and all traffic violations associated with the old vehicle must be cleared. Last month when I sold my old car, I specifically informed the DMV that I wanted to keep the original plate, which took an extra 10 minutes to fill out the forms. A reminder: When buying a new car, make sure to request to use the old plate during the license plate selection process—don’t wait until pickup to remember. My colleague applied for his old plate during the temporary plate phase, but the system still took his original plate away, and he ended up making three trips to the DMV to resolve the issue. Retaining a license plate is free, but new vehicle registration fees apply, with amounts varying by location.

[SanGabriel]

Veteran driver shares practical tips for license plate retention: Fill out the retention application form immediately during the old car transfer process – this step must not be skipped. I learned the hard way when I didn't request retention during my first car sale, resulting in automatic plate release. Key reminder: Check your accumulated driving license penalty points – retention is unavailable if exceeding 12 points. Visit the DMV promptly after purchasing a new vehicle and select the 'Use original plate number' option during registration. Many cities now allow 12123 APP appointments to avoid on-site queues. During retention, plates are custodied by the DMV – don't trust online intermediary services, handling the process personally is most reliable.

[DerekFitz]

Keeping License Plate When Changing Cars: I completed the entire process: Using the old license plate for at least 12 months is a strict requirement, and a written application must be submitted to retain it when selling or scrapping the car. DMV tip: It's best to go on a weekday morning to avoid peak hours. Last time, I got stuck at 11 AM due to system maintenance and waited for an hour in vain. When buying a new car within two years to mount the original plate, bring all required documents including the new car's certificate of conformity, compulsory insurance policy, and the old car's transfer proof. Surprisingly, I found that you can also mount a retained license plate on a used car, as long as it meets the emission standards. The most troublesome part of the process was document copying—it's advisable to prepare 3 copies of your ID card and vehicle license in advance.