Is the temporary license plate provided by the 4S shop or handled by oneself?

[DiWeston]

When applying for a temporary license plate, it can be handled by the car owner themselves or by the 4S shop as an agent, depending on the agreement between both parties. Here is some extended information: To obtain a temporary license plate, you only need to submit the car owner's ID card, vehicle certification, purchase invoice, and compulsory insurance certificate to the staff. After completing the review, payment, and other relevant procedures, you can immediately receive the temporary license plate. For the official license plate: If the car owner uses the on-site selection method (choosing from 10 or 50 options), they can usually get the official license plate right away, as these plates have already been made and can be issued immediately upon selection. However, if the car owner opts for self-selection or online selection, it normally takes about 7-15 working days to produce the plate before the owner is notified to come and collect it.

[GabrielDella]

I've encountered this when buying a car. Generally, 4S dealerships will proactively provide temporary license plates as part of their service, as they want you to drive the car away quickly to avoid follow-up hassles. If you opt for their agency service, it usually takes about one day to complete, with fees typically ranging from tens to one hundred RMB included in the car price. However, some smaller dealerships or discount car shops might not cover this, requiring you to handle it yourself at the DMV: bring your purchase invoice and ID card, queue up to fill out forms, and wait for half a day—sometimes you might not even get a number, which can be quite exhausting. Temporary plates are only valid for 7 to 15 days, so don’t delay. Driving with expired plates could result in fines and penalty points. My advice is to clarify whether temporary plate service is included before buying the car to avoid frustration later. Additionally, new drivers are better off choosing 4S dealerships for this service—safety first, to avoid the risk of driving without plates.

[DiMatthew]

When I bought my first car, the salesperson at the 4S store was exceptionally enthusiastic and directly helped me with the temporary license plate, claiming it was a promotional benefit so I wouldn’t have to worry about it. However, I’ve heard from friends that during some low-price promotions, dealers might wash their hands of the matter, leaving car owners to personally visit the vehicle management office with all purchase documents to apply on-site. Temporary plates are typically valid for 7 to 30 days—remember to replace them with official plates promptly, or else the police can fine you 200 yuan if caught. My neighbor learned this the hard way. In terms of costs, using an agent might be more expensive but saves time; handling it yourself is cheaper but more taxing. As a new car owner, I think it’s better not to chase cheap deals—prioritizing 4S store services can save a lot of hassle. It’s best to clearly stipulate everything in black and white when signing the contract to avoid any unexpected issues.

[JudeMarie]

When handling car-related matters, it's common for 4S stores to arrange temporary license plates on behalf of customers to enhance their experience. Car owners only need to provide their documents, and the store will handle everything in one stop. However, individual applications are also common for non-authorized channels, such as when purchasing a car online or in a second-hand transaction, where one needs to personally apply for a temporary plate at the vehicle management office, which is a more cumbersome process. Temporary plates have a short validity period, so they must be replaced in time to avoid the risk of fines.