
Motor vehicle license plates cannot be replaced. Motor Vehicle License Plate: A motor vehicle license plate refers to the legal emblem registered with the statutory authority, permitting the motor vehicle to operate on the roads within the territory of the People's Republic of China. The plate is generally affixed to a specific position of the motor vehicle, and its number serves as the motor vehicle's registration code. During the motor vehicle registration process, this number is assigned to the vehicle according to regulations. Function of Motor Vehicle License Plates: License plates serve as identifiers and information records for vehicles. Their primary purpose is to indicate the vehicle's region of registration through the plate number, and they also enable the tracing of the vehicle's owner and registration details based on the plate number.

Having driven for so many years, I can confirm that license plates aren't replaced every four years – that's a complete misconception. In reality, a license plate serves as a vehicle's permanent identification number, remaining unchanged from the day of registration, just like a person's ID number. A friend of mine once asked a similar question, probably confusing it with vehicle inspections or insurance cycles – inspections check the car's condition every two years or annually, but plates don't require periodic replacement at all. They're only changed under special circumstances: if the plate gets damaged or lost, when transferring a number after selling an old car and buying a new one, or through voluntary application (subject to DMV approval). These processes involve hundreds in fees and considerable hassle. So don't change plates unnecessarily, otherwise you'll face piles of paperwork at the DMV plus potential fraud risks. My advice? Just maintain your plate properly – prevent rusting or damage from impacts – that's all the care it needs.

As a veteran car owner, I must say the rumor about license plate renewal every four years is completely unfounded. The policy hasn't changed for decades - once a license plate is assigned to your vehicle, it stays with that car until it's scrapped, unless something unexpected happens. For instance, you can only apply for a new plate if yours gets stolen or severely damaged. When changing to a new car, you can keep your original plate number during the transfer process, but you'll need to complete some paperwork. Some people mistakenly think plates should be replaced during annual inspections - that's pure nonsense. Annual inspections check the vehicle's safety and technical condition, which has nothing to do with license plates. Remember not to believe unverified rumors blindly. There have been cases where people got fined or involved in fraud cases due to improper plate replacement, wasting both money and time. The best approach is to regularly check if your plates are securely fastened and clean, and consult DMV staff directly if you have any issues.

I haven't been driving for long, but I know very well that license plates aren't changed on a fixed schedule. Many people mistakenly believe that plates must be replaced every four years, which is complete nonsense! My plate number hasn't changed since I bought the car - I just check its condition during annual inspections. If you really need to replace it, certain conditions must be met: for example, if the plate is deformed and illegible, or if you want to transfer your old number to a new car. These procedures are quite troublesome - you'll need to queue at the DMV and fill out forms, potentially wasting half a day. It's more practical to simply keep your plates clean while driving, as traffic police will stop you if mud obscures them. Take online rumors with a grain of salt - believing them just wastes your time.


