Can I Go to the DMV to Choose a License Plate After Selecting One Online?
3 Answers
You cannot directly go to the DMV the next day to re-select a license plate after choosing one online. Here are the details: Notes after successful number selection: After successfully selecting a license plate number online, the number will be reserved for 3 working days starting from the second day. During this period, vehicles that have successfully selected a license plate number online are not allowed to re-select a number or modify the submitted information via the internet. What to do if you are not satisfied with the selected number: If you are not satisfied with the self-selected license plate online, you can log in to the online self-selection system again after 3 working days and choose a more satisfactory license plate online.
After selecting a license plate number online, you can still go to the DMV to choose one, but it depends on whether your online selection has been confirmed by the system. Online pre-selection usually gives you a few business days to consider. If you haven't finalized the selection, the system won't lock the number, so it's no problem to visit the DMV and choose again—I've done this several times. If it's already confirmed and you want to change, it might be a bit more troublesome, like having to cancel and queue up again. Don't worry about the DMV's efficiency; it's just that there might be more people choosing numbers on-site. For new car owners, I recommend trying the online selection first to get a feel for it—if it works out, it saves trouble. If not, just head straight to the DMV; it might take a bit more time, but safety comes first.
I had a similar experience when buying a car before. I wasn't satisfied with a license plate number I selected online, so I just drove straight to the DMV. Actually, the DMV fully allows this kind of operation—the key is that before the system locks in your selection, you can change it freely. But timing is crucial: there's a confirmation period of about 3 days after pre-selection. If you don't confirm within that time, it automatically becomes invalid, and you can choose a new number on-site. If you've already confirmed, don't bother trying to change it. I always bring some snacks to munch on while waiting in line—it's quite convenient. Just remember not to repeat the process and waste your energy.
