What to Do If You Win a License Plate Lottery but Haven't Bought a Car?
2 Answers
After winning the lottery, you must purchase a car within 6 months (half a year). If the deadline is exceeded, it will be considered as an automatic forfeiture. Below are the specific methods for retaining the license plate number: Deadline: According to current relevant policy regulations, the validity period of the lottery-won quota is 6 months. After winning the lottery, you must complete the vehicle registration within these six months; otherwise, the quota will be automatically invalidated. If you wish to buy a car later, you will have to participate in the lottery again. The vehicle must be registered under the buyer's name for three years: If you want to retain the original license plate number segment, the vehicle must be registered under the buyer's name for at least 3 years. However, retaining the car purchase quota means you can directly purchase a car without participating in the lottery again, but the validity period is also 6 months (half a year).
I just went through this situation. Last summer, I won the Shanghai license plate lottery but couldn't afford to buy a car immediately due to financial constraints. The quota was only valid for six months. Feeling anxious, I went to the vehicle management office to inquire. The staff told me I could apply for a one-time extension by filling out a form and paying a fee of around 100 yuan, which would extend the validity by three months. If I decided not to buy a car, I could simply give up the quota, and my priority in the next lottery might increase. Eventually, I extended the quota and bought an affordable used car. The process was straightforward—just bring your ID card and the quota notice. Actually, license plate quotas are scarce resources, and it's a pity to waste them. I suggest acting early to avoid expiration fees or impacts on your credit record. Remember, owning a car isn't a necessity—public transportation is quite convenient, so don't force yourself into debt.
