How long after picking up a new car must it be licensed?
2 Answers
New cars must be licensed within 15 days after pickup. Some regulations regarding temporary license plates: The use of temporary license plates for new cars must not exceed 15 days, and the owner should promptly apply to the vehicle management authority for official license plates. New car owners should pay attention to the validity period of temporary license plates: The traffic police department states that the issuance of temporary license plates follows a strict set of regulations and procedures, requiring materials such as the identity proof of the vehicle owner, proof of compulsory traffic accident liability insurance for motor vehicles, the vehicle's factory qualification certificate, or import documents for imported vehicles. Once the above materials are complete: The vehicle management office will register the vehicle in the public security traffic management platform system based on the vehicle's frame number. Since the frame number is unique, if any traffic violations are captured by electronic police, the owner will still be penalized.
After getting a new car, you generally must complete the license plate registration within one month—don’t delay too long or it could cause trouble. According to traffic regulations, for example in China, the law requires registering the license plate within 30 days of taking delivery of the car. Otherwise, the vehicle cannot be driven on the road, and you may face a fine of 200 yuan. In my experience dealing with many car owners, some often forget this and end up with expired temporary plates, leading to traffic police citations and point deductions. My advice is to apply for temporary plates immediately after picking up the car while preparing your ID, vehicle certification, and other documents for a quick visit to the DMV—the process isn’t complicated. The longer you delay, the higher the risks: insurance may not cover accidents on the road, and safety is also a concern. In short, completing the procedures promptly ensures peace of mind.
