How Long Does the License Plate Registration Process Take?
3 Answers
The license plate registration process takes 2 working days. The required documents include: 1. Original and photocopy of ID card (if applying on behalf of someone else, both the applicant's and the car owner's IDs are required); 2. Original and photocopy of the invoice; 3. Original and photocopy of the vehicle qualification certificate; 4. Original and photocopy of the compulsory insurance policy; 5. Copy of the tax payment certificate. The registration process is as follows: 1. Photo taking: Place the number plate set according to the last four digits of the chassis number in the lower right corner of the windshield and take a photo of the car. Before taking the photo, remove the CCC sticker and the fuel consumption label from the windshield; 2. Rubbing; 3. Inspection line test (checking power, lights, exhaust, and brakes); 4. Criminal investigation; 5. Submission of documents; 6. Vehicle inspection; 7. Number selection; 8. Purchase of vehicle and vessel tax; 9. License plate installation.
The time it takes to get license plates varies. Last time I bought a new car, with all the materials prepared, I went to the DMV early in the morning, handled the compulsory traffic insurance first, then got the car inspected, and had the plates ready before noon—just a day’s work. During peak times with long queues, it can take longer, like my neighbor who spent two days. It’s recommended to book an appointment in advance or use a local app for online scheduling to save time and effort. The required documents are quite simple: ID copy, vehicle certification, invoice, etc. If you lose the invoice or the insurance isn’t issued on time, redoing it can waste a week, so organizing your documents beforehand is key. Don’t forget to pay the purchase tax in advance—some apps allow payment via QR code, avoiding delays at the DMV.
From what I remember, new car registration usually takes one to two days. When I bought my first car, I was super nervous, and the dealership salesperson walked me through the process, suggesting I get the insurance policy sorted first before heading to the DMV for inspection and license plate selection. That time it took two days: preparing documents and a test drive in the afternoon on the first day, then queuing for three hours early on the second day before finishing. If all materials are ready, it goes faster; missing items like ID copies can cause delays. Avoid peak times like weekends—crowds make it worse. Several factors affect the timeline, such as waiting extra days for custom plates or extended new energy vehicle subsidy reviews. Overall, plan wisely and avoid holidays for smoother processing.
