What should be noted when keeping the original license plate after changing cars?
3 Answers
If you want to keep your original license plate number, you must first dispose of your old car before attaching the original license plate number to the new car. According to the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," the original owner must meet the following conditions to apply for the use of the original license plate number: 1. First, the owner must have owned the original motor vehicle for more than three years. If the original owner used the vehicle for less than three years, they are not eligible to apply for retaining the original license plate. 2. Second, the application must be submitted within six months after completing the transfer or cancellation registration. In other words, after transferring the vehicle to a new owner or scrapping it, you only have six months to purchase a new car and apply. 3. Lastly, any traffic violations or accidents involving the original motor vehicle must be resolved. If there were any traffic violations or unpaid fines related to the original vehicle, all fines must be paid, and no unresolved accidents should remain before applying to retain the original license plate number. 4. Additionally, the owner must purchase a new car to retain the original license plate number. If the new vehicle purchased by the original owner is a used car, retaining the original license plate number is not permitted.
I often help friends with vehicle procedures. If you want to keep the original license plate when changing cars, pay special attention to the following points: First, the original license plate must have been used for at least one year before applying for retention, counting from the date of first registration. Second, after transferring or scrapping the old car, you must purchase a new car and apply to use the original plate within two years, otherwise it will expire. Third, all traffic violations and fines related to the old car must be cleared; I've seen many people get stuck because of this. Fourth, you must explicitly request to retain the license plate when handling the old car's procedures, filling out the application form. If you miss this step, you'll have to choose a new number. Fifth, the new car must be registered under your name and cannot be a used car; the name on the invoice and documents must match. Additionally, after changing the license plate, remember to promptly notify your insurance company to update the policy information.
I've changed my own car twice and am quite familiar with the license plate retention process: First, you need to confirm that the license plate has been used for at least one year. When disposing of the old vehicle, you must proactively inform the DMV that you want to retain the plate. Remember to bring all required documents like ID card and vehicle registration certificate. The retention period is two years, during which you can apply to use the old plate when purchasing a new car. I recommend clearing all traffic tickets before transferring the old car to avoid delays. There's a crucial step in the new car registration process - you must select the 'use original license plate' option in the system, which many beginners overlook. Finally, note that the original plate can only be used by yourself and cannot be transferred to others. The entire process is basically free, with only a small administrative fee of a few dozen yuan, but remember to make an appointment with the DMV in advance to save queuing time.
