How Long Does It Take to Get a License Plate for a New Car?
3 Answers
Getting a license plate for a new car involves several steps, including purchasing insurance, paying the purchase tax, vehicle inspection, and selecting a license plate number. The process can be completed in as little as one day if the owner is in a hurry. Otherwise, it may take up to two working days. Purchasing insurance can be done simultaneously when buying the car. Paying the purchase tax usually takes half a day, while vehicle inspection and selecting a license plate number also take about half a day. Additionally, the purchase tax must be paid at the tax office. For vehicle inspection, the first step after entering the inspection site is to follow the traffic flow for an exterior photo, which is then collected to be used for the vehicle registration certificate. After selecting a license plate number and completing all the above procedures, the vehicle registration certificate can be obtained. If the vehicle has not yet been registered and needs to be driven temporarily within the administrative district, a temporary license plate valid for no more than 15 days will be issued. For temporary driving across administrative districts, a temporary license plate valid for no more than 30 days will be issued. If there are any traffic violations, they can generally be queried within 15 days. For any other questions, you may consult a relevant lawyer.
Last month I picked up a new car, and the 4S dealership handled all the paperwork and vehicle inspection for me. Typically, they submit the documents to the DMV on the first day, and you can get your license plates the same day or the next. However, if you're unlucky and there's a long queue, it might take until the third day to complete. The exact timing depends on how busy the DMV is—weekdays are faster than weekends. If you have all your documents ready, like your ID, invoice, and insurance policy, it saves you from making multiple trips. During peak seasons, such as around holidays, there might be delays. I recommend going in the morning or making an appointment in advance. Some cities even allow you to submit some forms online, which saves time. Overall, if everything goes smoothly, one to three days should be enough. Don’t forget to check the vehicle compliance certificate—if there’s an issue with that, it could delay things by several extra days.
When I bought my first car, I thought the license plate registration would be completed in one day as advertised. However, I ended up making a wasted trip to the DMV because I forgot to bring a copy of the compulsory traffic insurance, which cost me three extra days. Experience taught me that it's best to confirm the document checklist with the salesperson in advance and make copies of all required certificates. With the dealer's assistance, the process usually takes about two business days. But during peak hours at the DMV, you might have to queue for over two hours, which affects efficiency. I forgot to make an appointment back then and went during the afternoon rush hour, almost disrupting my work schedule. It's always wise to allow some buffer time—say, three to five days—to account for unexpected delays, ensuring your car usage plans aren't affected.
