
Vehicle Offices operate from Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM, excluding statutory holidays, and are closed on weekends. The process for vehicle license plate issuance is as follows: Rubbing: Rubbing is typically performed in the inspection area of the Vehicle Management Office, though sometimes 4S stores may assist with this step. Vehicle Inspection: In the inspection area, submit the prepared documents to the on-duty police officer for vehicle inspection. To facilitate the inspection, the owner should open the engine compartment cover in advance and remove the engine heat shield. Obtaining the Vehicle License and Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate: After selecting the license plate number, the staff will print the license plate issuance voucher and request payment. Upon payment, wait for a period to receive the vehicle license and motor vehicle registration certificate. After obtaining these documents, pay the annual vehicle and vessel tax to collect and install the license plate.

I often deal with vehicle office services and can tell you about license plate registration on Saturdays. The arrangements vary significantly across different vehicle management offices. Most locations operate during standard working hours from Monday to Friday, with weekends off. However, some major cities offer half-day service windows on Saturday mornings specifically for vehicle-related services to accommodate working professionals. I recommend checking the official website or public account of your local vehicle management office to confirm, as many places now support real-time online inquiries. Another option is to directly call the traffic management service hotline 12123—after connecting, just mention your city name to get the exact details. If the office is indeed closed on Saturdays, don’t worry. Many 4S dealerships now offer license plate registration services for a fee, which saves time and spares you the hassle of running around. Asking about these service details when choosing a car can save you a lot of trouble later.

I recently accompanied a friend to handle license plate registration, so let me share some practical information. Currently, the service arrangements at vehicle offices vary by city, primarily depending on local policies and actual demand. Most vehicle management offices in third- and fourth-tier cities are closed on Saturdays, but in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, core-area offices often offer convenient Saturday service hours. It's important to note that only simple services are available on Saturdays—if your license plate registration involves special procedures, such as for imported or new energy vehicles, you may still need to go on a weekday. The easiest method is to follow the local traffic authority's official account or check the 12123 app, where service schedules for each office are posted in advance. But if you really end up needing service on a non-working day, don’t panic—some vehicle inspection stations now offer weekend services as well.

Regarding whether the vehicle office operates on Saturdays, it depends on the specific situation. Vehicle management offices in central areas of large cities are more likely to have service windows open on Saturdays, usually for half a day and only handling routine services. In suburban areas or small cities, such arrangements are generally unavailable. It is recommended to verify by phone or online three days in advance to avoid an unnecessary trip. Currently, some cities have introduced online reservation systems, such as the Traffic Management 12123 APP, which allows booking weekend services, but reservations must be made three days in advance. Additionally, during special periods like the peak vehicle inspection season, service hours may be adjusted. Some large auto markets have internal service points with more flexible working hours. In short, verifying in advance is crucial.

Last year when I handled my license plate, I specifically researched this and would like to share some firsthand experience. The working hours of vehicle offices do vary by location, but there's a growing trend of more cities offering Saturday convenience services. You can first check the official website of your local vehicle management office - they usually clearly mark the working calendars for each branch. Another useful tip is to take a photo of the service schedule when you visit the office on weekdays, as this is the most reliable method. Some cities now even have 24-hour self-service kiosks, which can't complete full registration but can handle some preliminary procedures. If you're buying a new car, having the 4S dealership handle it for you is the most hassle-free option as they often have special channels. Regardless, advance planning is always wise.

I understand your eagerness to get the license plate done over the weekend, as it's not easy to take time off during weekdays. The reality is that only some DMVs in major cities operate on Saturdays, and appointments are required. You can confirm through several methods: use map apps to search for DMVs and check their business hours, or visit the official website of the traffic bureau for specific schedules. Some cities even offer WeChat mini-programs to check real-time service status. It's worth noting that even if open on weekends, the workload is heavy, so it's best to arrive early to queue. If your local DMV doesn't offer weekend services, consider using a 4S store's agency service—though it costs a few hundred more, it saves you a whole day. Some cities are now piloting community DMV service stations with longer hours than traditional outlets.


