Can vehicle transfer be processed on weekends?
3 Answers
Vehicle transfer may not be processed on weekends, as some locations are closed on Saturdays, while others may process vehicle transfers on Saturday mornings but not on Saturday afternoons or Sundays due to the vehicle management office system being unavailable, making vehicle inspections impossible. The working hours of vehicle management offices are in accordance with national regulations, typically starting at 7 or 8 in the morning, ending at noon at 12, resuming at 1 or 2 in the afternoon, and closing around 5 in the afternoon. Some areas may have on-duty services. (Excluding statutory holidays) Precautions for purchasing used cars: Incomplete documentation. Complete documentation for a used car includes: vehicle registration certificate (or original purchase invoice), driving license, vehicle purchase tax payment certificate, road maintenance fee procedures, and compulsory insurance, etc. Missing vehicle registration certificates or driving licenses, or unpaid compulsory insurance and road maintenance fees, can cause endless trouble for the buyer. Therefore, when purchasing a car, if the seller cannot provide complete documentation, consumers should be particularly vigilant. Tampering with the odometer. Most consumers prefer to judge the condition of a car based on the odometer, and sellers often take advantage of this psychology to tamper with the odometer. In fact, the odometer is not only an indicator of usage intensity but also a recorder for the maintenance and replacement of other vehicle parts. If buyers perform maintenance based on the tampered odometer reading, it will bring a series of potential safety hazards. New paint covering 'external injuries'. When purchasing a used car, if the car has been repainted and there are signs of repairs around the front face, rear, and A, B, C pillars, the car may have been involved in a major traffic accident. 'Tuning the heart' to raise the price. Many consumers often pay too much attention to the 'heart' (engine) of the car when buying a car and neglect the health of the car body. Used car sellers take advantage of this psychology by replacing engine parts to make the vehicle's 'heart' appear younger, thereby raising the price.
Last time I bought a car and wanted to transfer ownership on the weekend, only to find that most vehicle management offices are closed on weekends and only open Monday to Friday. It was a wasted trip and really frustrating. I recommend checking local official accounts or websites in advance to see if there are any exceptions—cities like Beijing and Shanghai sometimes offer appointment services. Remember to bring all required documents: original and photocopy of ID card, vehicle registration certificate, driving license, and transfer agreement, otherwise the procedures can't be processed. The transfer fee must be paid on-site, so prepare a few hundred in cash or card. If you're in a hurry, taking half a day off on a weekday and going early to get a queue number can save time. Some places also support online form filling and appointments via apps, using the 12123 platform makes things much easier.
For vehicle ownership transfer, it's generally safer to choose weekdays (Monday to Friday) as most DMVs are closed on weekends. However, some cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou offer special services that require advance appointment confirmation. Based on multiple experiences, ensure all documents are prepared: original IDs of both buyer and seller, photocopies of the vehicle title certificate (big green book) and both sides of the license plate registration certificate. Missing any document will cause delays. The process is simple but time-consuming, so it's recommended to visit the DMV office in the morning, fill out the transfer application form, pay fees, and receive the new certificate. With advanced technology now, you can try submitting online through mobile apps like Alipay's City Services for convenience. Remember to promptly update insurance and annual inspection information after the transfer to avoid complications.
