Can new cars be registered on weekends?

[TeaganMarie]

Vehicle management offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, so new cars cannot be registered. Saturdays and Sundays are statutory holidays, and vehicle management offices are national institutions, hence they are closed and only operate from Monday to Friday. Additional information: 1. Business scope of vehicle management offices: Vehicle management offices are responsible for handling applications, renewals, and reviews of motor vehicle driving licenses, as well as the management of driver archives; they also handle vehicle registration, transfer, modification, inspection, and the issuance of vehicle license plates, along with the management of motor vehicle archives. 2. Regulations for accessing archives at vehicle management offices: For vehicle management business or cases involving suspected smuggling, theft, robbery, vehicles without import certificates, or illegally assembled vehicles, accessing vehicle archives requires approval from the vehicle management office leadership. The handling personnel and archive custodians must jointly review the archives, and it is strictly prohibited for handling personnel to access vehicle archives alone. If evidence is needed, the archive custodian is responsible for providing certificates or photocopies of the archives. Except for transfer of registration, archived files cannot be taken out of the archive once stored. The archive repository should have a designated reading room for accessing archives. Other personnel are not allowed to enter the archive repository without approval from the vehicle management office leadership.

[KimberlyMarie]

When I bought a new car the year before last, it happened to be a weekend. Excitedly, I rushed to get the license plate, only to find the vehicle management office tightly shut, with the security guard saying it only opens on weekdays. The regular hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday, with weekends open only on special notice. At that time, I had to take a day off on Monday to handle it, making a wasted trip. Looking back now, some big cities like Guangzhou and Beijing occasionally offer convenience services on Saturdays, but it's rare. It's advisable to ask the 4S store salesperson or check the local vehicle management office's official website announcement before buying a car. Don't rush to drive out without a license plate for your new car; if you happen to run into traffic police checking vehicles, getting points deducted and fined would be even more frustrating. Prepare the car purchase invoice and a copy of your ID card, and find time to go early on a weekday to avoid long queues and be more efficient. This lesson taught me to plan ahead, saving time and effort.

[McMaximus]

You asked about getting license plates on weekends? I've helped friends with this a few times, and generally it's not possible. The DMV is closed on Saturdays, and you can only handle the procedures on weekdays. For example, in Chengdu, they're open Monday to Friday. But in some places like Hangzhou, they might open on Saturday mornings for convenience services. I suggest you not take the risk and go on a weekday to be safest. Bring all the car purchase documents: the original invoice, ID card, and insurance policy—don't forget anything to avoid making two trips. Don't drive around without plates on a new car, or you could easily get fined 200 yuan. By the way, many DMVs now offer online appointments—just tap a few times on a mobile app to book a time, which is much more convenient. In short, plan for Monday to Friday—it's efficient and reliable.

[StCali]

Having bought cars multiple times at my age, I know getting licensed on a Saturday is nearly impossible. The DMV operates Monday to Friday, closing on weekends. In my younger days, I forgot this and wasted a whole Saturday. Nowadays, some cities offer Saturday services for convenience, but opportunities are rare. My advice: check local DMV notices immediately after getting your new car, and call to confirm. Arrive early Monday to Friday with all documents like invoices and insurance policies to avoid delays. Safety first—driving without plates carries significant risks.