Is One Day Enough for Tax Payment and License Plate Registration?
2 Answers
Generally, one day is not enough to complete both tax payment and license plate registration. Reasons why it cannot be completed in one day: There is a certain time interval required from tax payment to license plate registration. The specific duration depends on the number of people handling the business in the local city. Some areas can complete the process within one day, while others may take up to 2 days from the date of application acceptance. Process for tax payment and license plate registration: Pay the purchase tax at the National Tax Bureau and complete the industrial and commercial certification at the automobile transaction hall; purchase insurance; bring all the required documents to the designated inspection site of the vehicle management office that handles new vehicle registration to complete the relevant procedures; follow the inspection site's instructions for environmental appearance inspection, photography, number tracing, exhaust emission testing, safety inspection, etc.; submit the inspection results, vehicle registration information, and owner's documents to the new vehicle registration window of the vehicle management office for review. If everything is correct, a number selection form will be issued for license plate selection; pay the fee to receive the license plate and complete the procedures for the vehicle license, large green book, inspection mark, etc.; pay the vehicle and vessel usage tax.
When I first bought my car, I thought I could get the tax payment and license plate registration done in a single day, but it turned out to be not that simple. It all depends on where you go and how crowded it is. The tax office here opens at 8 a.m., and if you go on a weekday when it's less busy, you can get the tax paid within an hour. Then, drive to the DMV for license plate registration—it’s quick if the distance isn’t too far. But last time I went, it was the end-of-month rush, and I had to wait in line for almost two hours. The plates had to be made on-site, so it dragged on until the afternoon. I recommend checking local policies in advance—some cities allow online appointments, which saves time. Bring all the required documents, like your ID and the original invoice, to avoid making extra trips. If everything goes smoothly and you start early in the morning, it’s possible to finish in a day. But don’t count on it always working out, especially during summer or holidays when places are packed and delays are common. To be safe, budget a day and a half. By the way, I’ve tried going during off-peak times a few times, and it’s much faster and less stressful.
