How long does it take to get license plates after vehicle registration?
2 Answers
It usually takes three to five working days to get license plates after vehicle registration. The process is as follows: 1. Obtain the vehicle qualification certificate; 2. After purchasing the car, the 4S shop will issue a triplicate purchase invoice, which must be kept properly; 3. Pay the vehicle purchase tax and obtain the original and duplicate tax certificates; 4. Prepare the original and photocopy of ID card in advance, and provide the original and photocopy of temporary residence permit for non-local residents; 5. Go to the vehicle management office to register and apply for the license plate. First, a special traffic police officer will inspect the vehicle, mainly checking the vehicle identification code, vehicle appearance and vehicle warning triangle plate; 6. After the vehicle inspection, you can go to the hall of the vehicle management office to select the license plate number; 7. After selecting the number, pay the fee and wait for the license plate.
I recently just got my new car licensed, and the whole process took about five days to receive the license plates. That day at the DMV, after completing the number selection and submitting the materials, the staff told me that the plates needed to be manufactured, usually taking three to seven working days. I opted for home delivery since picking them up in person would require a special trip to the DMV. On the third day, I received the logistics information showing that the plates had been shipped out, and on the fifth day, the courier delivered them right to my door. Upon opening, I saw they were packaged quite securely. I heard that some cities have on-site plate-making machines at the DMV, allowing for same-day pickup, but unfortunately, we don’t have that equipment here yet. If you're in a hurry, you can ask the DMV in advance if expedited service is available, though it might cost extra. It’s advisable to leave your contact information when handling the procedures to avoid missing any notifications.
