How Long After Obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit Can You Get License Plates?
2 Answers
You can get license plates after obtaining a temporary residence permit and purchasing a vehicle. Below are the relevant details: 1. Regulations: According to Article 44 of the "Regulations on the Registration of Motor Vehicles" (Ministry of Public Security Order No. 124), the owner of a motor vehicle applying for a replacement vehicle license must fill out an application form and submit proof of identity. Additionally, according to Article 64, Paragraph 4, Item 3 of the same regulations, for mainland residents residing in a temporary location, their identity proof includes their "Resident ID Card" or "Temporary Resident ID Card," along with a residence or temporary residence permit issued by the public security authorities. Therefore, when applying for a replacement vehicle license, the applicant must submit the residence or temporary residence permit issued by the public security authorities. 2. Validity of the Temporary Residence Permit: The Temporary Residence Permit is valid for one year. If continued temporary residence is required after the expiration, the holder must apply for a renewal at the local public security station within the temporary residence area. Any non-local individual aged 16 or older who intends to reside for more than 30 days must apply for a Temporary Residence Permit within 10 days of arriving at the temporary residence location. However, individuals temporarily staying for visiting relatives or friends, tourism, medical treatment, or education are exempt from applying for a Temporary Residence Permit.
Last month when I bought my car as an out-of-town newbie, it took me three days to get the temporary residence permit. On the day I received it, I immediately went to the DMV to register the license plate. The whole process was straightforward: bring your ID card, car purchase invoice, vehicle certificate, and compulsory insurance policy. The DMV inspection, number selection, and license plate installation took less than two hours in total. Once you have the temporary residence permit, you can use it right away without waiting, but some places might need to confirm the information is correct—don’t delay too long to avoid the permit expiring. Only after getting the license plate can the car legally hit the road, making driving much more reassuring. Picking a nice number put me in a great mood, and I recommend checking the DMV’s working hours in advance to avoid weekend crowds. Don’t forget about new car maintenance either—I regularly check tire pressure to ensure a smooth ride.
