How long does it take to get a new car license plate?
2 Answers
If you choose a custom license plate, it usually takes about 15 days to have it made. During the registration process, you will first be issued a temporary license plate and given a receipt for picking up the permanent plate. You can then take this receipt to the vehicle management office to collect your license plate when it's ready. Try to avoid the peak period for new car registrations if possible. The normal working hours of the vehicle management office are from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The busiest day of the week is Monday, while Thursday and Friday tend to be the least crowded. You can plan your visit accordingly.
I just bought a new car and spent three days getting it registered. On the first day, I went to the DMV to queue up, and the vehicle inspection took an hour due to the large crowd. On the second day, the documents were reviewed, and on the third day, I received the official license plate. It felt quite straightforward, so I recommend preparing all the necessary documents in advance, including the car purchase invoice, compulsory insurance proof, and ID documents. The inspection is mandatory, and the car must not have any modifications or defects, otherwise, you'll have to redo the process. My friend in Shanghai had to wait a week for his new car registration—big cities have more people and fewer service windows, which drags out the process; small towns usually get it done in two days. Choose a weekday to go and avoid the Monday rush for the best experience. The temporary license plate for a new car is valid for two weeks, which is enough to cover the waiting period, so don’t stress too much. Remember, some DMV apps allow appointments, which can save you from long queues.
