How Long Does It Take to Get a License Plate for a New Car?
3 Answers
Official license plates usually take around three to five working days to be issued. Before registering a new car, you need to prepare the vehicle qualification certificate, keep the triplicate car purchase invoice, pay the vehicle purchase tax to obtain the tax payment certificate, prepare copies and originals of your ID card, and go to the vehicle management office for registration and inspection. Then, you can select a license plate number. After about five working days, you can collect the license plate either by picking it up at the vehicle management office or having it delivered to your home via express mail. Costs for new car license plate registration: 1. Criminal investigation fee: 50 yuan 2. Documentation, photography, and rubbing fee: 110 yuan 3. Administrative fee: 143 yuan 4. Inspection fee: 125 yuan (can be waived) The total for the above four items is 428 yuan. For license plate delivery, the vehicle management office generally uses China Post Express Mail, which usually arrives within seven days after mailing. Some regions may not provide SMS or tracking number notifications. In such cases, you can open a browser on your computer and search for "China Post Logistics Tracking" using Baidu. After entering the tracking number, you can check the progress of your mailed item. Alternatively, you can search for the China Post App via the Baidu App and download it from the official China Post website. After downloading, open the app, register your information, and click on the search bar at the top of the page to enter the mail tracking page. Then, select "vehicle license plate" and enter the plate number to check the progress of plate production and delivery. Steps to register a new car at the vehicle management office: 1. Obtain the vehicle qualification certificate. This document is crucial for license plate registration. Some car dealerships may delay providing it, which can postpone your registration. Therefore, communicate firmly with the dealership to get the certificate as soon as possible. 2. Keep the triplicate car purchase invoice. The dealership will issue this invoice, which is necessary for registration. The invoice comes in red, yellow, and blue copies; usually, the red and yellow copies are submitted, while the yellow copy is kept for personal records. 3. Pay the vehicle purchase tax and obtain the tax payment certificate. After purchasing the car, promptly pay the tax at the nearest vehicle management office and keep the certificate safe. 4. Register and inspect the vehicle at the vehicle management office. Once all documents are ready, go to the office for registration. A traffic police officer will inspect the vehicle, checking the VIN, exterior, and warning triangle. Prepare these in advance. 5. Select a license plate number. After inspection, you can choose a number at the office, either by self-selection or random selection. Note that most desirable self-selected numbers may already be taken. How to check license plate production progress on 12123: Register and log in to the 12123 App, where you can view the progress under "Online Application Status." Once the plate is made and shipped, you can track the logistics. If you’ve bound your phone number, you’ll also receive an SMS notification. The vehicle management office typically takes 15-20 minutes to make a license plate, but processing times may vary depending on whether it’s peak or off-peak season.
Last time I bought a car, I went through the entire process myself, which took about three days in total. On the day of pickup, I spent nearly half a day paying the purchase tax, followed by another long day queuing at the DMV for vehicle inspection. The next morning, I selected the license plate and completed the paperwork, and by the afternoon, I had the vehicle registration certificate. However, it's best to start the process at least a week before the temporary license expires to avoid the end-of-month rush. The experience varies greatly by city—my friend in Guangzhou's suburbs got their metal plates the same day, while I had to wait two more days in the urban area. Remember to photocopy your ID in advance, bring all vehicle qualification certificates, and avoid modifying rims or applying wraps before inspection, or you might get stuck at the testing line.
Temporary license plates can be obtained the same day through an agency, while formal plates take about three to five days. I recommend letting the 4S dealership handle everything for convenience, as they are familiar with the process and can use expedited channels. If you prefer to do it yourself, prepare the three essential documents: the car purchase invoice, compulsory traffic insurance policy, and vehicle qualification certificate. Arrive at the DMV by 9 AM to queue up. If everything goes smoothly, the vehicle inspection can be completed in the morning, and license plate selection and certificate issuance can be done in the afternoon. The plate selection process is the most time-consuming, so it's advisable to pre-select a number on the 12123 app, which saves about half an hour compared to the on-site 50-option selection. Note that imported vehicles require additional customs procedures, adding one or two extra days compared to domestic cars. License plate production typically takes 48 hours, with additional time needed for home delivery.
