Can I participate in the 12123 lottery without owning a car?
2 Answers
Yes, you can. Here is the lottery process: Submit an application: You can fill out the application form on the designated website or apply at the public service windows set up by district (county) governments. Participate in the lottery: After passing the review, your application code will be confirmed as valid, allowing you to participate in the monthly lottery using this code. The index management agency organizes the lottery on the 26th of each month, with notarization by a legal notary. Check the index code: You need to check the lottery results and the confirmation notice of the passenger car allocation index on the designated website or by phone. The confirmation notice must be downloaded and printed or collected at the public service windows of the index management agency as proof of the index. If you do not obtain the index through the lottery, your valid code will automatically be included in the next lottery pool.
When I first graduated last year, I also pondered this issue. Of course, you can apply for the license plate lottery through the 12123 platform even if you don't own a car yet. The traffic management platform is primarily designed for those without vehicles, especially in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, where the competition for license plate quotas is fierce. You need to secure a quota first before purchasing a car. Back then, I simply downloaded the app, registered an account, uploaded my ID card and proof of residence, and after passing the review, I was added to the lottery pool. The system automatically conducts the lottery every month. If you win, you'll receive a one-year valid quota, and that's when you can proceed to buy a car and get it licensed. Never wait until after buying a car to apply—the lottery queue can take a long time. Applying early saves you both hassle and money. For example, my neighbor waited a whole year before winning, while I saved time by acting early. The probability of winning depends on the city size—smaller cities are easier, while hot spots require patience.
