Can I apply for a license plate without a car?
3 Answers
You cannot apply for a license plate without a car. You need to have a car to get a license plate, and you should register the relevant vehicle information at the vehicle management office before getting the plate. Without a car, you can apply for a lottery draw, which is only for obtaining an indicator to determine whether you are eligible for a license plate. Therefore, for the lottery, you only need to provide your driver's license and ID card. License plates, commonly known as vehicle tags, refer to the plates hung on the front and rear of a vehicle. They are usually made of aluminum, iron, plastic, or paper, with the vehicle's registration number, registration area, or other relevant information engraved on them. License plates serve as a numbering and information registration system for vehicles. Their main function is to identify the region to which the vehicle belongs and to trace the vehicle's owner and registration information based on the plate.
Actually, applying for a license plate without owning a car can be quite difficult in many places, based on my personal experience. Generally, license plates are tied to vehicle registration—you need to purchase a car first or at least have a purchase contract and vehicle details before submitting the required documents to the DMV. For example, where I live, you must first inspect the car, obtain the invoice, and pay for insurance before applying for a formal blue or green license plate. However, in some major cities like Beijing or Shanghai, policies are more lenient—you can participate in a lottery or auction to secure a license plate quota without immediately buying a car. A friend of mine in Shanghai won a plate quota at auction and waited over half a year before purchasing a new car. But eligibility is required: you must register personal details and pay a deposit for the lottery. Overall, applying without a car will likely result in rejection since license plates aren’t standalone; they primarily ensure road legality and safety monitoring. If you’re serious about it, check your local traffic authority’s website for specifics or call their hotline for the latest policies to avoid a wasted trip.
I was curious about this question when I first bought a car—can you get a license plate in advance without owning a car? After going through the process myself, I realized it's not really feasible. Here’s how it works in most provinces: You need to purchase a car or sign a contract at a 4S dealership first, then bring the vehicle certificate, ID card, and tax payment receipts to the DMV for registration, and the license plate will be issued accordingly. In my hometown, there’s not even a lottery system—you must have the car physically present to apply for a plate. However, my neighbor mentioned that in Shenzhen, he tried the lottery system and successfully obtained a quota in advance, but he had to buy a car and register it within the allotted time, or the quota would expire. This method of securing a plate qualification in advance is common in cities with license plate restrictions, but it doesn’t work in ordinary areas. I think the key is to follow the rules based on where you live—don’t act blindly. If you’re short on budget and want to stockpile a plate, it’s more practical to save up and buy a used car directly, which also saves you a lot of hassle. Also, a reminder: policies for new energy vehicles are more flexible now, and green plates are easier to apply for, but the prerequisite is still having a car.
