Can I get license plates without paying the purchase tax?
2 Answers
You cannot register a new vehicle without paying the purchase tax. Taxpayers are required to pay the vehicle purchase tax before registering the vehicle with the vehicle management authority of the public security bureau. Here is more information about vehicle registration: 1. Documents required for new vehicle registration: ID card, vehicle certificate of conformity, vehicle parameter sheet, second and fourth copies of the vehicle invoice, vehicle purchase tax receipt, vehicle insurance policy, purchase invoice, vehicle certificate of conformity, ID card or organization code certificate and photocopy of the person who issued the invoice, compulsory traffic insurance policy, tax payment certificate, and temporary residence permit for non-locals. 2. Registration process: After preparing the documents, go to the vehicle management office to submit the materials, sign as the owner, have the vehicle inspected and confirmed by the traffic police, choose a license plate number, receive a receipt, install and take photos of the license plate, and collect the vehicle license and registration certificate.
I just bought a new car recently, and when I was handling the procedures at the DMV, the staff specifically emphasized that the vehicle purchase tax payment certificate must be brought along to apply for the license plate. According to national regulations, the vehicle purchase tax is a mandatory document for vehicle registration, just like an ID card—you can't do without it. If the purchase tax hasn't been paid, the DMV system won't be able to find the vehicle's tax payment record, and the application will be rejected outright. My neighbor last year tried to save trouble and delayed paying the tax for three months, only to find that when the temporary license expired, the car had to sit idle at home, causing a lot of frustration. Nowadays, you can pay the tax electronically via mobile apps, so it's advisable to get it done before picking up the car to avoid unnecessary trips to the DMV and delays in using your vehicle.
