What does motor vehicle transfer registration mean?

[DiJocelyn]

Motor vehicle transfer registration refers to the process where the ownership of a registered motor vehicle changes hands. The new owner must submit the required documents to the designated location for vehicle inspection and complete the transfer registration within 30 days from the date of vehicle delivery. The materials needed for registration include: 1. "Motor Vehicle Registration, Transfer, Cancellation/Transfer Application Form". 2. Original and copy of the new owner's identity proof. 3. Motor vehicle registration certificate. 4. Motor vehicle driving license. 5. Proof of ownership transfer. 6. Motor vehicle inspection record form. 7. For motor vehicles released from customs supervision, the "Release Certificate of Customs Supervised Vehicles of the People's Republic of China" or a customs-approved transfer certificate must also be submitted. 8. For motor vehicles transferred from diplomatic (consular) missions to non-diplomatic (consular) entities or individuals, the tax payment certificate or tax exemption voucher for vehicle purchase tax must also be submitted. 9. For motor vehicles exceeding the inspection validity period, the motor vehicle safety technical inspection certificate and compulsory traffic accident liability insurance certificate must also be submitted. 10. If the new owner's residence is not in the same city, a rubbing of the vehicle identification number (frame number) must also be submitted.

[GabriellaFitz]

Just helped a friend with this recently - transfer registration is essentially the process of changing vehicle ownership. Like how property deeds need updating when a house changes hands, transferring a car requires a trip to the DMV to update the owner information on the vehicle license and registration certificate. Don't underestimate this step - last year when I sold my old car, I didn't complete the transfer promptly, and when the buyer had an accident, they still came after me as the original owner, which was a huge hassle. Besides taking the buyer to the DMV to select new license plates, remember to prepare the sales invoice and purchase tax certificate. Some cities now allow online submission of transfer applications, but the vehicle inspection still requires an in-person visit to the testing station.

[Marty]

The biggest concern when dealing with used cars is issues with the transfer registration. The key is to ensure the vehicle legally belongs to the new owner, completely releasing the previous owner from liability. When I purchase a car, I always do three things: verify that the original vehicle registration certificate, license, and the seller's ID name match; have the seller personally accompany me for the inspection and transfer; and watch as the staff removes the original license plate on-site. A reminder: out-of-town transfers can be more troublesome, possibly requiring a prior power of attorney for out-of-town processing. Emission standards are now strictly enforced, with some areas not allowing the transfer of older, National IV standard vehicles. Don't just focus on bargaining; legal procedures are more important than saving money.

[OBrantley]

Actually, vehicle transfer refers to the change of ownership. The lady at the DMV explained to me that after completing the transfer registration, there are three key changes: the owner's name on the vehicle license is updated, the compulsory traffic insurance policyholder is transferred, and the license plate is reissued. Both parties need to bring the original documents to the registration office to complete the process. The total cost is not high, mainly consisting of a hundred yuan or so for processing fees and a few dozen yuan for selecting a new license plate number. It's important to note that if the vehicle has a mortgage loan, it must be fully repaid before the transfer can proceed. I recommend arriving at the DMV around 10 a.m. when it's least crowded. If you're hiring an agent to handle the transfer, you'll also need to sign a formal power of attorney and have it notarized.

[Ted]

Having handled the transfer registration of hundreds of vehicles, I've found that the most headache-inducing aspect for beginners is the paperwork. In addition to the original ID cards of both the buyer and seller, and the vehicle transaction invoice, cities with license plate restrictions like Beijing and Shanghai also require quota documents. Vehicles that fail to meet emission standards simply cannot be transferred into urban areas. After the policy relaxation last year, the transfer registration of used cars priced under 300,000 yuan no longer requires VAT payment. Remember to settle any outstanding traffic fines in advance, as unresolved tickets can significantly complicate the process. Don't rush to leave after completing the procedure; wait for the new vehicle license and registration certificate to be printed and verify that all details are correct.