How Long Does It Take to Get a License Plate?
3 Answers
Generally, it takes three to five working days to receive the license plate. Introduction to License Plates: License plates, commonly known as vehicle plates, refer to the plates affixed to the front and rear of a vehicle, displaying the registration number, registration region, or other relevant information. Function of License Plates: License plates serve as a numbering and information registration system for vehicles. Their primary purpose is to identify the vehicle's region of registration and to trace the owner and registration details of the vehicle through the plate number. Precautions for License Plate Registration: The process must be completed at the vehicle management office. After submitting all required documents and paying the necessary fees, the vehicle must undergo an inspection at the office. Some exempt vehicles only require an external inspection, which typically involves checking the engine number and chassis number. Once the inspection is complete, you can proceed to the office's main hall to select your license plate.
Last time I helped a friend register a license plate at the DMV, it took three days in total. On the first morning, I submitted the materials but only completed pre-registration due to long queues; the second day was spent on vehicle inspection and number selection, with most of the time wasted in lines; I finally got the metal plate on the afternoon of the third day. I recommend avoiding Mondays and month-end dates, and try to go on mid-week weekday mornings instead. Remember to prepare copies of your ID card, invoice, and vehicle certificate in advance—getting copies on-site means extra waiting. If you hire a 4S dealership to handle it, it usually costs 500 yuan more but saves a day. For out-of-town vehicle purchases, it may take even longer, so factor in the temporary license plate validity period.
The speed of new car registration largely depends on the efficiency of the DMV. With complete documents, it usually takes one to two working days. Remember to pay the purchase tax first, or you'll queue in vain. Arriving before 10 AM is ideal, as the inspection lanes are less crowded. I've seen car owners arrive at 3 PM and fail to get their plates the same day. For number selection, it's recommended to pre-select via the 12123 APP to save an hour. The self-registration fee is only 120 yuan, but prepare half a day. If the inspection equipment malfunctions or the system undergoes upgrades, delays are unpredictable—I once faced a week-long delay due to an upgrade.
