
Pre-selected license plate numbers can be canceled. Within the 15-day validity period of the license plate, bring the required vehicle documentation to the local DMV to re-select and register a new plate number. After this period, the selection will be automatically considered abandoned. After successfully selecting a number through the 12123 traffic management platform, the license plate number is reserved for 15 working days starting from the next day. During this period, users are not allowed to re-select a number or modify submitted information online. If registration is not completed within the deadline, the pre-selected license plate number will be canceled, and the user will be blacklisted, prohibiting them from online license plate selection services for two years. On-site license plate selection process at the DMV: Prepare all necessary materials for license plate selection; Bring the documents to the vehicle inspection area and queue for inspection; After inspection, proceed with the selection process, which includes random selection or custom selection. Random selection involves choosing a satisfactory number from a list of options provided by the selection machine; Custom selection allows users to create their desired license plate number. However, due to the high volume of new vehicle registrations, most desirable numbers have already been taken, making the success rate of custom selection very low. Once the selection is completed, proceed to the service counter in the main hall to finalize other necessary procedures.

I remember hesitating about whether I could cancel when I pre-selected a license plate number for my car last time. At first, I chose a number online, but later found a better combination and tried to cancel. The DMV regulations state that you can cancel online for free within 24 hours after selecting a number. Just log into the system, find the cancellation option, fill in a simple reason, and submit. My cancellation went smoothly that time, and I was able to choose again. If you exceed the time limit, it gets a bit more complicated—you might have to apply at the counter or pay a fee, around 10 yuan. After cancellation, the license plate is released back into the pool, and others can grab it. My advice is to think carefully for a few minutes when selecting a number—don’t act impulsively. If you’re not satisfied, act quickly and don’t delay to avoid repeating the process. Choosing a license plate should be a good thing—don’t let cancellation become a hassle.

Generally, car owners can easily cancel their pre-selected license plates within a short period. According to vehicle management policies, most regions have a 24 to 48-hour cooling-off period, during which you can cancel with just a few clicks on the selection platform without any fees. For example, I often see people handling this matter directly through an app or website. Cancellation becomes more difficult after the deadline, requiring formal reasons for processing. There are significant regional differences, with stricter rules in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, while smaller cities are more lenient. Once canceled, the license plate becomes immediately available, and others may quickly grab it. I recommend staying calm during the selection process to minimize the need for cancellation. If cancellation is necessary, don’t delay to avoid affecting subsequent registration. These rules are designed for user convenience, so don’t waste the opportunity.

When I was a newbie, I asked if the preselected license plate could be canceled. The salesperson said it could be canceled online within one day after selection by clicking the cancel button, entering a reason, and submitting. I tried it—canceling a wrong number immediately was super easy. After the deadline, you'd need to visit the DMV counter to fill out a form, possibly with a fee. The plate would be released for others to grab. In short, cancellation is doable but must be quick. Remember to think it over after selecting to avoid regrets. The process is simple, so don't worry.


