Should a new car be licensed or taxed first?
4 Answers
New cars should be taxed first, then licensed. The precautions for installing car license plates are: 1. License plate installation position: The front license plate should be installed in the middle or right side of the front, and the rear license plate should be installed in the middle or left side of the rear. 2. License plate installation requirements: Special sealing devices for motor vehicle license plates must be used, with complete seals and secure installation. 3. Requirements for installing license plate holders: The inner edge of the license plate frame should be more than 5 millimeters away from the edge of the motor vehicle number characters. The required documents and certificates include: the identity proof of the motor vehicle owner; the car purchase invoice; the motor vehicle factory qualification certificate or the import certificate for imported motor vehicles (imported motor vehicles require payment of the import certificate for imported motor vehicles).
Last year, I picked up a new car, and the entire process required paying the purchase tax before getting the license plate. The 4S store salesperson reminded me that the first thing to do after buying the car was to pay the vehicle purchase tax, which is 10% of the invoice price, and it could be done online or at a bank. Only after obtaining the tax payment certificate could I apply for the license plate at the vehicle management office. The vehicle management office required this proof, a copy of my ID card, the car purchase invoice, and the insurance policy—none of these could be missing. During the license plate application, an environmental inspection was also required, along with receiving an environmental sticker. The order of these steps couldn’t be messed up; if I drove the car on the road without a license plate first, the police could fine me and deduct points. A friend of mine learned this the hard way—he was in a hurry to hit the road and got fined 500 yuan. The whole process, from paying the tax to getting the license plate, could be completed in as fast as one day, but it’s best for beginners to ask the dealership for guidance. Paying the tax is the foundation, and the license plate is the final step—better to be safe than to save time.
Having served clients in the automotive industry for many years, we always emphasize that new vehicles must first pay the purchase tax before being licensed. The purchase tax is calculated based on the vehicle's price, typically ranging from 10% to 15%. Only after obtaining the tax receipt can the license plate be processed. The vehicle management office conducts strict inspections and will directly reject applications without the tax receipt. It is also recommended to simultaneously purchase compulsory traffic insurance, as it is another essential document for licensing. I have seen some buyers eager to drive without paying the tax, only to have their vehicles impounded and fined when caught. The entire process includes vehicle inspection and environmental certification, with tax payment being the initial step. Do not lose the tax receipt, as reissuing it is time-consuming. Plan your time wisely to avoid weekend queues at the licensing center, where crowds can be exhausting. Remember to bring the maintenance manual, as it records the initial services for the new vehicle. In short, tax first, license plate later is a strict rule.
When buying a new car, paying the purchase tax is the first step before you can get it licensed. That time I went to the DMV, they just shook their heads without the tax receipt, saying a tax payment certificate was mandatory. The whole process: buy the car and get insurance—pay taxes and obtain the certificate—queue for license plates. The DMV inspects the car, checks the chassis, and issues the plates after confirming the vehicle is problem-free. Don’t skip steps—driving without plates will get you fined 200 yuan and 3 points deducted. The environmental sticker must also be displayed; new cars meet standards straight from the factory, so passing inspection is simple. Having all your documents ready saves hassle. Once taxes are cleared, the plates come naturally.
