Should a new car pay taxes first or get licensed first?
3 Answers
For a new car, taxes should be paid first, followed by license plate registration. The steps for installing the license plate are: 1. Screw in all the fastening components for the license plate mounting points; 2. Once the license plate is properly positioned, tighten all the screws; 3. Align the cap with the mounting block, press it in, and secure it. The precautions for installing a car license plate are: 1. License plate installation position: The front plate should be placed in the middle or right side of the front, and the rear plate should be placed in the middle or left side of the rear; 2. License plate installation requirements: Special fastening devices for motor vehicle license plates must be used, with all fastenings complete and the plate securely installed; 3. Requirements for mounting plate holders: The inner edge of the license plate frame should be more than 5 millimeters away from the edge of the vehicle registration number characters.
I made this mistake when I was young. Back then, I excitedly bought a new car and rushed straight to the DMV to get it licensed, only to be stopped by the staff who said it couldn’t be done without paying the purchase tax. I had to turn around and go to the tax office to pay, wasting half a day for nothing. From then on, I learned that when buying a new car, you must pay the tax before getting the license plate because national regulations require tax receipts to process registration. The specific process is: after picking up the car, take the invoice and ID to the tax window to pay the purchase tax, which is about 10% of the car’s price. Once you get the tax payment certificate, bring the vehicle qualification certificate, compulsory insurance policy, and other documents to the DMV to queue up for registration. Looking back now, I wish someone had reminded me. I understand the eagerness to hit the road with a new car, but getting the sequence wrong can cause delays and even fines. It’s best to check local policies in advance to avoid running in circles.
I've been pondering this issue for quite some time, as getting a new car on the road concerns the safety of the whole family. From my experience, taxes must be paid before license plate registration, otherwise the vehicle management office's system won't find the tax record and nothing can be processed. Tax payment is usually done at the tax bureau or authorized locations. Bring the car purchase contract and personal documents, and you'll get the tax certificate in minutes. Then use this certificate along with the vehicle conformity certificate to apply for the license plate. Important notes: Don't forget to calculate the invoice amount correctly when paying taxes - underpayment causes trouble later; choose a good time for plate registration to avoid peak hours and save time. In short, a smooth process ensures safe driving. Otherwise, like my neighbor's car without plates getting stopped by traffic police last time - points deducted and fined - the loss outweighs the gain. Advance preparation is always wise.
