What are the differences between replacement of lost license plates and destroyed license plates?
4 Answers
The differences between replacement of lost license plates and destroyed license plates are: Destroyed license plates refer to the physical destruction of the plates, where the owner completely loses ownership and usage rights of the plates. Lost license plates refer to the misplacement of the plates, where the physical plates are not destroyed, but the ownership and usage rights are separated from the owner. 1. Proof of vehicle destruction refers to: Proof of vehicle destruction due to natural disasters: A certificate issued by a government department at the street, township, or town level or above in the area where the natural disaster occurred, stating that the vehicle was destroyed due to the natural disaster. Proof of vehicle destruction due to fire: A certificate issued by the fire department of a public security authority at the county level or above in the area where the fire occurred, stating that the vehicle was destroyed due to the fire. 2. Additional information: Once a vehicle's license plates are destroyed, lost, or damaged, they need to be replaced. When replacing lost license plates, the original license plate number will not be changed; the original number will continue to be used.
I remember how troublesome it was when my license plate got lost. I clearly remembered it was there when I parked, but couldn't find it when I came back. I suspected it was stolen by thieves. When I went to the vehicle management office for a replacement, the staff told me I had to first get a loss report certificate from the police station to prove it was genuinely lost and not hidden. The whole process took several days. In contrast, when my license plate was destroyed last year after my car got rear-ended and damaged, I just went to the vehicle management office with photos from the accident scene, and it was done quickly with much fewer procedures. The fundamental difference lies in the cause: loss means the plate is missing and could potentially be misused by a third party, posing higher risks and requiring stricter verification; destruction means physical damage, where sufficient evidence makes the process more straightforward. I recommend everyone park in safe places and install anti-theft screws to avoid such hassles.
The procedures for replacing license plates differ significantly. First, make an online appointment, then visit the DMV to fill out forms explaining the reason. If the plate is lost, you must submit a police report receipt or a written statement to prevent fraudulent claims. For a damaged plate, bring evidence like an accident report or photos, which speeds up the review. Timewise, a lost plate may take days for verification, while a damaged one can be processed the same day. Costs are similar, around a few dozen dollars. Key is to bring your vehicle registration and ID, and don’t forget backup documents. Experience shows handling damage is simpler; losing a plate requires more caution. Regularly check if the mounting screws are loose to avoid mishaps.
The essence of losing and destroying a license plate lies in the different causes leading to varying levels of risk. Loss commonly occurs when a car is left unlocked after parking or due to theft, which can easily lead to the risk of plate cloning—consequences may include others illegally using your plate. Destruction, on the other hand, often results from accidents or fire damage, rendering the plate unusable directly. When applying for a replacement, losing a plate requires an additional step of reporting the loss, while destruction only needs to provide on-site evidence. Don’t underestimate this issue; slow handling may result in fines. Installing a parking space camera and tightening screws can save you a lot of trouble.
