
12123 requires the old license plate to be reclaimed when replacing it. Relevant knowledge about vehicle license plate replacement is as follows: Conditions for license plate replacement: When processing the transfer registration of the motor vehicle owner, the current owner's residence must have moved into the jurisdiction area of the vehicle office. Non-compliance with laws and regulations: If the motor vehicle does not meet the requirements stipulated by laws and administrative regulations, the transfer registration will not be processed. Required materials: Motor vehicle registration certificate, motor vehicle file, original and copy of the motor vehicle owner's identity proof, legal proof and credentials if the owner's residence has moved into the city, etc.









Last time I changed my license plate, I specifically asked the DMV staff - the old plates must be surrendered. Because each set of plates is a unique identifier registered in the system, failure to retrieve them could lead to plate cloning. After applying for plate replacement on the 12123 app, the system automatically reminded me to return the old plates to a designated service point. The staff invalidated them by cutting the corners in front of me and gave me a recovery receipt. The process was actually quite fast, taking only half an hour. But remember to bring the vehicle registration certificate and ID card, and it's best to make an appointment on the app in advance to avoid queues. With such strict enforcement against cloned plates in cities now, returning old plates on time is also a way to protect yourself.

As a car owner who frequently deals with the DMV, I clearly know that old license plates must be surrendered when replacing them. When processing plate replacement on the 12123 platform, the final step will display the address of the designated collection point for the old plates. Failing to return them carries three risks: first, the plates could be stolen and used for illegal cloning, leaving you liable for any fines; second, it may affect future vehicle transfers; third, the DMV system will flag the plates as unreturned, potentially blocking subsequent transactions. I recommend going on a weekday morning when it's less crowded and more efficient, and you can also get your new plates installed right away.

Last year, I replaced my license plate with a new energy one through the 12123 platform, and the old metal plate had to be surrendered to the DMV. The staff explained that each license plate is linked to the vehicle's records, much like how a SIM card must be returned when deactivating a number. During the handover, they verify the VIN and license plate details before cutting and invalidating it on the spot. If the old plate is damaged or lost, a loss report procedure must be completed first before getting a replacement. The entire process is quite standardized, primarily to prevent the proliferation of cloned plates. After the switch, remember to update your plate information on the traffic management app to avoid recognition errors in parking systems.

After successfully applying for a license plate replacement on 12123, you will receive a text message explicitly requiring the old license plate to be returned to a designated recycling point within 10 days. Once, when I accompanied a friend to handle this, I found the recycling process to be quite strict: staff members use specialized tools to destroy the anti-counterfeiting marks on the license plate, take photos to upload to the system, and finally issue a recycling receipt. If the old plate is not returned within the deadline, not only will the issuance of the new plate be suspended, but it may also affect the vehicle's annual inspection. Therefore, it is recommended that after replacing the plate, do not delay—directly navigate to the nearest traffic service station to handle it, and you can also inquire about the precautions for installing the new license plate while you're there.

In my years of running a business, I've handled over a hundred license plate replacement procedures. After changing plates via the 12123 platform, surrendering the old plates is mandatory. There are three key points to note when returning plates: check for plate deformation (deformed plates must be declared in advance), remove all decorative items from the license plate frame (otherwise they won't be accepted), and bring the service receipt. The DMW melts down all surrendered plates for unified processing - with current strict environmental policies, keeping old plates privately may incur penalties. What many don't realize is that before mailing new plates, the system verifies the old plates' surrender status.


