How Long Does It Take to License a New Car?
2 Answers
It usually takes three to five working days to get the license plate for a new car. After selecting the plate number, you need to pay the fee and wait for the plate. The required documents for licensing include: vehicle certification, purchase invoice, and compulsory insurance policy. Note that you should make three copies of each of the following: ID card, vehicle certification, purchase invoice, and compulsory insurance policy. Additionally, you need to pay the purchase tax at the tax collection office, which is a crucial part of licensing a new car, as the vehicle cannot be licensed without it. After completing the necessary procedures, drive the car into the photo area to take pictures, and then collect the vehicle photos and the motor vehicle inspection record form at the hall. Licensing can be done by someone else, but if the owner is not present, a power of attorney must be filled out.
I went to get my license plate shortly after buying a new car, and the whole process was quite time-consuming. Last week, I chose a Tuesday to go to the DMV, thinking there would be fewer people, but there was still a long line. Starting from queuing for the vehicle inspection in the morning, the staff checked the car body and frame number, which took me two hours of standing. At noon, I went to pay the purchase tax and waited another hour at the counter. In the afternoon, I was particularly indecisive when choosing the license plate number because the good numbers were already taken, so I had to pick one randomly. After completing the process, the staff said it would take two days to make the license plate, so I had to go back on Thursday to pick up the official one. All in all, it took about three working days. If you go on the weekend, you’ll have to wait even longer. I recommend going on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds. Booking your license plate appointment online in advance can also save a lot of time—otherwise, you’ll end up waiting like I did, which is really a hassle.
