Can You Keep Your License Plate When Buying a Car From a Different Province in Vietnam?

“Can I keep my familiar license plate when buying a car from another province?” This question troubles many car buyers in Vietnam. Is there a way to bring your beloved vehicle home while retaining its “identity”? This article will unveil the secrets, answering in detail whether you can keep the license plate when buying a car from a different province and revealing the necessary conditions.

Checking a vehicle's license plate

The Significance: Why Keeping Your License Plate Matters

Keeping your license plate when buying a car from a different province is not just an administrative procedure; it holds several significant meanings:

• Psychological: Many believe that a license plate is linked to fate and feng shui. Keeping the old license plate is seen as a way to “retain good luck,” hoping that fortune and prosperity will follow the car to its new owner.
• Procedural: Changing the license plate when buying a car from a different province can be quite complicated, time-consuming, and laborious.
• Value: Some beautiful or “lucky” license plates can hold high value and are sought after by many.

The Answer: When Can You Keep the License Plate?

According to current regulations, you CAN keep the license plate when buying a car from a different province if you meet ALL of the following conditions:

1. The car is already registered: The car must have a valid license plate, registered in another province.
2. Both the previous and new owners reside in the same province/city: Both the seller and the buyer must have permanent residency in the same province or city under central authority.
3. Complete the transfer of ownership procedures: All necessary procedures for transferring the car’s ownership must be completed according to regulations.

What Does the Law Say?

According to the 2008 Road Traffic Law and Circular No. 15/2014/TT-BCA, keeping the license plate when buying and selling between individuals in the same locality is clearly stipulated. This ensures consistency in management and prevents the misuse of license plates.

Traffic expert Robert Johnson (University of California, Berkeley) states: “Allowing license plate retention when buying and selling within the same province is a reasonable policy that benefits the people and aligns with international practices.”

Common Scenarios

• Mr. Minh (Hanoi) buys a car from Ms. Lan (also in Hanoi), but the car has a license plate from a different province: Mr. Minh can absolutely keep the old license plate after completing the transfer of ownership.
• Ms. Hoa (Ho Chi Minh City) wants to buy a car from Mr. Tuan (Da Nang): Ms. Hoa will not be able to keep the old license plate because they are not in the same province/city.

Helpful Tips

• Carefully check the vehicle’s documents: Before buying or selling, thoroughly check the vehicle’s paperwork to ensure it is legal and the license plate belongs to the rightful owner.
• Understand the regulations: Familiarize yourself with the regulations regarding the transfer of ownership and license plate retention in your locality to avoid complications.
• Consult with experts: If you have any questions, contact the authorities or experts for specific advice.

Vehicle ownership transfer procedure

Related Questions

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Need Assistance?

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