What is the new policy for license plate transfer in 2020?

[Claudia]

Both the 2020 regulations and previous rules do not allow the transfer of license plates. Currently, when a vehicle is transferred, the license plate cannot be transferred with the vehicle, nor can the license plate be transferred separately. The original license plate can only be transferred to the owner's new vehicle information and cannot be transferred to another person. However, there is one special case: spouses can transfer their license plates to each other with a marriage certificate, allowing the other party to obtain the license plate without going through the lottery or bidding process. New policies for license plate retention: 1. If a vehicle has been used for at least one year, the original license plate can be retained for up to 2 years; 2. The original license plate can be retained when the vehicle is transferred, deregistered, or relocated; 3. Both used and new vehicles are eligible for license plate retention applications.

[DiTaylor]

Last year when I bought a car, I encountered new policies—the 2020 license plate transfer rules became much stricter than before. The biggest change is that vehicles must now meet the China VI emission standards to be eligible for transfer, marking a major environmental upgrade. Previously, you could transfer ownership of any old car, but now that's not possible—high-pollution vehicles get rejected outright. When I helped a friend with the transfer process, I found that we had to first visit an inspection station to obtain an environmental compliance report proving the car met the standards; otherwise, the DMV wouldn’t process it. The government is also promoting digital procedures—submitting documents via a mobile app and booking inspections online, saving time on back-and-forth trips. Although there are more steps involved, it’s much better for air quality in the long run, as fewer outdated, high-emission cars remain on the road. Before transferring ownership, I recommend checking the emission data thoroughly and preparing the vehicle license, ID card, and inspection report to avoid missing any details.

[MacDylan]

I've been in the used car trade for several years. The key point of the 2020 transfer regulation focuses on emission control: all vehicles must meet China VI standards to be transferred, effectively blocking older models like China III diesel vehicles. The upside is a greener market and faster transaction speeds. With the widespread adoption of electronic systems now, submitting documents can be done online, and inspection appointments are scheduled in just half an hour. Remember to bring the vehicle's environmental label and personal identification during the transfer to avoid on-site issues. The policy encourages people to choose new or energy-efficient vehicles to reduce pollution sources. This contributes significantly to the environment and also impacts used car prices—vehicles with higher emissions depreciate much faster, so consider future maintenance costs before purchasing. In practice, don't overlook policy details to avoid wasted effort.

[MacCarson]

From an environmental perspective, the 2020 vehicle transfer policy marks significant progress by mandating that all license plate transfers must involve China VI emission standard vehicles, effectively curbing the circulation of highly polluting cars. This policy plays a crucial role in reducing pollution and promoting energy efficiency, directly safeguarding urban air quality. Personal experience reveals that emission reports have become mandatory during transfers, streamlining the process while raising the entry barrier. The new regulations also incentivize more people to switch to energy-efficient vehicles, driving sustainable development. The benefits are manifold: accelerated phase-out of outdated vehicles and mainstream adoption of green transportation.