Is new car registration and license plate installation done at the same location?
2 Answers
New car registration and license plate installation do not need to be done at the same location. New car license plate application process: Go to the local branch office corresponding to your ID card or residence certificate with the following documents: Original and photocopy of the vehicle owner's identity proof; Proof of vehicle origin such as purchase invoice; Vehicle manufacturer's certificate of conformity or import documentation for imported vehicles; Proof of payment of vehicle purchase tax or tax exemption certificate; Compulsory traffic accident liability insurance certificate; Vehicle and vessel tax payment or tax exemption proof; For company vehicles, additional documents required include organization code certificate, official seal, power of attorney, and agent's identity proof. Important notes for new car license plate application: Owners are advised to purchase adequate insurance coverage when applying for plates to prevent unexpected situations. It's recommended to carry temporary license plates when driving before official plates are installed. For faster processing, owners can visit the vehicle management office and use the corresponding barcode recognition system to select plates, which allows for immediate plate collection.
When I first bought my new car, I thought vehicle registration and license plate application would require running around different places. But actually, they handle both at the DMV in one go. That time I went early to queue up—first was the registration process, which involves entering the new car's information into the system, paying purchase tax and insurance fees. The whole thing was pretty quick. Then the staff immediately processed my license plate installation—what they call "plate assignment." The whole process was seamless and didn’t take more than a morning. If you live in a big city like Shanghai, the DMV is even more efficient, handling everything in one stop. In smaller cities, you might need an extra trip, but many places now offer integrated services. Remember to bring your car purchase invoice, ID card, and insurance proof to avoid wasted trips. Overall, new car registration is the process of registering the vehicle, while plate assignment is getting the physical plates—both are basically done at the DMV, making it much more convenient.