Do I Need to Drive the Car Over for License Plate Replacement?

[VanQuinn]

You do not need to drive the car over for license plate replacement. Here is some information about license plate numbers: 1. Introduction: A license plate number is an identification tag for a vehicle, much like an ID number for a person. For example, if a car's license plate is from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 'Yue' represents Guangdong Province, 'A' represents Guangzhou, so 'Yue A' is the license plate code for Guangzhou. 2. License Plate Colors: White represents military or police plates, such as 'GK12001' for Guangzhou Military District or 'Zhe A1063 Police' for Hangzhou Public Security Bureau vehicles; blue represents ordinary passenger cars; yellow represents ordinary large vehicles; black represents vehicles used by foreign investors in China or important figures; green represents new energy vehicles.

[Margie]

I just got my license plate replaced, and there are some things to note. Driving there is mainly for the vehicle management office to verify the vehicle information, including whether the VIN and engine number match the records. However, some regions now offer online application channels. For example, in Guangdong and Zhejiang, you can apply for a replacement plate through the Traffic Management 12123 App. Once approved, the plate can be mailed directly to your home, eliminating the need for a special trip. But if you're replacing the plate in a different location or if online services aren't available locally, you still need to drive there for the inspection. Remember to bring your original ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and the replacement plate application form with an official seal. It's advisable to avoid the peak hours at the vehicle management office on Mondays and Fridays.

[XavierLee]

There are two scenarios to consider. If you choose to handle it offline, the vehicle must be present for inspection, as the DMV needs to take a rubbing of the VIN to verify the vehicle's authenticity. However, online processing is more convenient. Currently, 19 provinces across the country have enabled the license plate replacement service via the "Traffic Management 12123" app. After submitting your application on the app, you can simply wait for the postal delivery at home. Nevertheless, replacing a license plate in a different location still requires returning to the original DMV, in which case driving is unavoidable. It's advisable to first check the policy updates on your local DMV's official website, as some smaller cities have just introduced no-inspection channels this year.