Is the vehicle license still valid after the owner's death?
2 Answers
The vehicle license is not valid indefinitely after the owner's death. It is recommended to complete the transfer procedures promptly. Below is detailed information about the vehicle license: Overview: The motor vehicle license is the legal document permitting a vehicle to operate on roads within China. The license consists of three parts: the license holder, the main page, and the supplementary page. The front of the main page contains the endorsed certificate core, while the back features a photo of the vehicle, sealed in plastic. The supplementary page is the endorsed certificate core. Relevant regulations: Article 17 of the "Road Traffic Management Regulations" issued by the State Council stipulates: Vehicles must pass inspection by the vehicle management authority and obtain license plates and a vehicle license before they are permitted to operate. Therefore, possessing a "Motor Vehicle License" is one of the prerequisites for a vehicle to operate on the road. Driving without a vehicle license is a violation of regulations.
I've driven for many years and have dealt with car matters after the passing of relatives and friends. The vehicle license doesn't remain valid indefinitely after someone's death, as it's tied to the owner. Once the owner passes away, the vehicle ownership must be transferred or canceled, otherwise the license becomes invalid. For example, my neighbor's elderly father passed away, and his children continued using the car for a month, only to be stopped by traffic police who said the license was invalid and fined them. Later, they had to go to the DMV to process the inheritance transfer, submitting notarized inheritance documents before getting a valid license again. Don't delay too long, otherwise you might face issues with annual vehicle inspections or insurance claims, which could be quite risky from a safety perspective.
