Is a Driver's License Required for New Vehicle Registration?
2 Answers
In many regions, a driver's license is not required for new vehicle registration. However, in cities with limited license plate issuance (such as Shanghai), applicants are usually required to hold a driver's license; otherwise, they are not eligible to participate in the lottery or auction for license plates. According to Article 7 of the 'Regulations on Motor Vehicle Registration,' the following documents must be submitted for registration: the identity proof of the motor vehicle owner, proof of the vehicle's origin (such as the purchase invoice), the motor vehicle's factory qualification certificate or import certificate for imported vehicles, proof of payment or exemption for vehicle purchase tax, proof of compulsory traffic accident liability insurance for motor vehicles, and proof of payment or exemption for vehicle and vessel tax. The process for new vehicle registration: visit the inspection station for a new vehicle check; obtain and complete the inspection process form, then proceed with tests for the vehicle's exhaust emissions, side slip, speedometer, etc.; submit the required documents to receive the license plate, followed by stamping and photographing; bring all materials to the vehicle management office window to submit the documents, obtain a serial number, and wait for the next step to select a new license plate number, then receive the license plate on the spot.
I just picked up my new car, and last week when I went to the DMV to get the license plate, I was really confused about this issue. I thought I had to bring my driver's license, but it turned out to be completely unnecessary—I handled it myself. The plate registration process is actually quite simple: bring the original and a copy of your ID card, the car purchase invoice, the original vehicle qualification certificate, the original compulsory traffic insurance policy, and the tax payment certificate for the purchase tax. The staff at the counter told me these are the standard vehicle registration procedures—they only verify the owner's identity, not your driving qualifications. I was relieved at the time because I had forgotten my driver's license, but it didn’t affect the process at all. I’d advise new car owners to prepare all the documents in advance. If the DMV is crowded, you can make an online appointment to save time waiting in line. Don’t worry about the driver's license—getting plates is about the car, not whether you can drive it!
