How to Replace the Green Book for an Unreleased Vehicle?
2 Answers
The original owner should bring their ID card and vehicle license, and drive to the DMV to apply for a replacement. The current owner should bring their ID card and vehicle license to the DMV to apply for a replacement. The vehicle owner should promptly apply for a replacement at the local DMV under their jurisdiction.
I lost my vehicle registration certificate (green book) shortly after buying the car last year. Since the car wasn’t financed, the process was straightforward. The first step was to quickly report the loss at the police station to get a loss certificate, bringing along my ID card and the original/copy of the vehicle license. At the DMV, I had to fill out an application form and queue for a vehicle inspection—the process wasn’t complicated but required some waiting time for approval, usually taking about three days to get the new certificate. Note that DMVs are often crowded on weekdays, so I recommend arriving right when they open to avoid peak hours. The replacement fee is around 50 yuan, so remember to bring small change. Also, never leave the green book in the car to prevent theft—handling it early gives peace of mind when driving. Otherwise, you might hit a snag during annual inspections or ownership transfers. I procrastinated until right before my annual inspection and almost caused delays. Overall, if everything goes smoothly, it should be resolved within two weeks.
