How do 4S shops license vehicles for non-local residents?
3 Answers
Consumers purchase vehicles at local 4S shops and request the shop to help license the vehicle in another city. The 4S shop sends staff to another city to handle the license application procedures. Purchase insurance for the new vehicle to prevent accidents during the trip to another city. After the insurance takes effect, the 4S shop staff will carry the owner's ID card and drive the new vehicle to the vehicle management office in another city for licensing.
I just bought a new car in Hangzhou, but my household registration is from another city. The 4S dealership handled the license plate registration for me, which was super convenient. The key was preparing a copy of my local residence permit and the original ID card in advance. They told me that as the car buyer, I first needed to obtain a residence permit from my rental community, valid for more than six months, and then submit it to the 4S dealership along with a power of attorney. They took care of the steps like visiting the DMV to apply for plate selection, vehicle inspection, and paying the purchase tax. The whole process took about four days and cost around 500 yuan, which was included in the service fee. I recommend confirming the details of the proxy service when negotiating the car purchase contract, such as whether you might need to appear in person once if policies change or submit additional community documentation. This way, it’s much more hassle-free—doing it yourself would mean long queues and a higher chance of mistakes. Don’t forget to keep the receipts and the license plate collection notice.
Our 4S dealership handles license plate registration for out-of-town clients daily, primarily through agency services. I typically advise clients to provide their ID card, residence permit, and vehicle purchase invoice, then sign a power of attorney agreement with us—this covers the number selection and vehicle inspection processes. Fees range between 300 to 800 yuan, varying by city. The key is ensuring the residence permit has sufficient validity; otherwise, the DMV may reject the application. For clients without a permit, renting a property to obtain a temporary certificate is an option but time-consuming. The entire process can take as little as two days but may extend during peak periods. I also remind clients to check local policies before purchase—for example, Beijing now requires online appointment scheduling to avoid unexpected delays or extra costs.
