Key practical points:
• A new vehicle must be registered and receive a number plate before being used on the road.
• When buying or selling a used vehicle, ownership must be formally transferred within a set period.
• Changing the engine, colour, or use of a vehicle requires registering the modification.
• A mortgage on a vehicle is registered, and a scrapped or destroyed vehicle must be deregistered.
• Some registration and transfer procedures are now available online and via one-window service.
• Resident foreigners can register a vehicle using valid residence documents.
Provisions on Motor Vehicle Registration · Yalla China
机动车登记规定 / Provisions on Motor Vehicle Registration
Enacted: 2021-12-27 ✅ Effective: 2022-05-01
📝 Overview
These provisions govern motor vehicle registration in China, from first registration to transfer, modification, mortgage, cancellation, and number plates. Issued by the Ministry of Public Security; the current version (Order 164) has applied since 2022.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
When buying a used vehicle, complete the ownership transfer promptly; leaving it in the seller's name can leave either party exposed to liabilities and fines. Keep the registration certificate and insurance in the vehicle. This is general orientation, not legal advice.
📎 Official source
Ministry of Public Security / mps.gov.cn
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026