How many days does it take to get a license plate?
3 Answers
Generally, it takes fifteen working days to complete the production of a new car's license plate. You can either pick up the license plate yourself at the vehicle management office or choose to have it delivered to your home by express. During this period, you can use a temporary license plate to drive on the road. The process of registering a car, apart from the car insurance handled at the 4S store and the vehicle purchase tax paid at the tax bureau, is basically completed at the vehicle management office. Here is additional information: Vehicle license plate registration: If all documents and materials are prepared, and there are not many people at the vehicle management office, meaning no need to queue, then the registration process can take 1-3 hours. Usually, a '10 choose 1' method is adopted for selecting the license plate number, and you can get the official license plate immediately. However, if you choose a self-selected or online selection method, it will take about 15 working days to complete the production.
I just bought a used car and went through the license plate transfer process, which was quite an experience. Typically, the whole process takes one to three days, but it really depends on the specific situation. I went to the urban vehicle management office at 10 a.m. on Monday with all the required documents: the original and photocopy of the owner's ID card, the vehicle registration certificate, the compulsory traffic insurance policy, and a copy of the transaction invoice. On-site, I queued to get a number, had the car inspected, paid the fees, and then waited for the plate to be made. The staff said I could pick it up the next afternoon, but I actually got it done by around 4 p.m. the same day. However, during peak periods or holidays when it's crowded, it might take two to three days. Booking an appointment in advance on the official WeChat public account can save you half a day and prevent unnecessary trips. It's advisable to go early—the vehicle management office opens at 8:30 a.m., and the first wave of people is usually smaller, making the process faster.
As a car owner who frequently changes vehicles, I find that the time required to process license plates can vary, but it should be manageable within two days. In urban areas, it typically takes 1-2 working days. If you arrive at the vehicle management office by 9 a.m. with all the necessary documents, you can complete the registration, photo-taking, and payment steps, then pick up the plates in the afternoon or the next day. In rural areas, the process is even faster, often completed within half a day. To avoid delays, I always bring my ID, the original car purchase invoice, vehicle documentation, and insurance policy. The online appointment system is a game-changer for speeding things up—fill out the forms, pay the fees, and collect the plates a day later. During peak periods, like year-end, processing times can extend to three days due to higher demand. Therefore, it’s safest to handle this early in the workweek and avoid holidays.
