Should I Customize or Randomly Select a License Plate Number First?

[AxelAnn]

Customize first. Car owners need to understand the license plate selection rules on the Traffic Police 12123 APP: The time slot for pre-selecting numbers is from 8 AM to 10 PM daily, with a total of 20 chances to customize a number. Only number segments that have been released for more than 7 days can be customized. Random selection offers 5 attempts, with 10 numbers each time and a 90-second selection window per attempt. Additional notes: After 7 days of random selection, new number segments will be randomly added to the customization pool by the system for car owners to choose from. For 12123 customized number selection, after editing a plate number, you need to verify its availability. If available, the system will automatically confirm the number as selected and end the selection process. If the number is unavailable, it indicates verification failure, with a total of 20 chances for verification failures.

[Bryce]

Personally, I think trying a custom license plate number first is more fun. When I bought my car last time, I directly customized the digits on the DMV website or app, using combinations like birthdays, anniversaries, or my favorite numbers. It makes the car feel more personalized when driving on the road. However, you need to prepare multiple backup options in advance because your preferred number might already be taken. The advantage is that the process is quick—just a few taps on your phone—unlike random selection, which relies heavily on luck. Plus, custom numbers have a unique touch, making them less likely to be duplicated by others and more fun to share on social media. Of course, if you're in a hurry to get your car or don’t want to overthink it, random selection is also a good option since it’s system-generated and gives instant results—ideal for beginners or those who don’t care much about license plates. In short, my advice is to prioritize custom numbers first, and if unsatisfied, go for random selection, so you don’t waste your chance.

[SanKate]

From my multiple license plate selection experiences, prioritizing random selection is more hassle-free. The usual operation is to click the "Random" button on the vehicle registration platform or app, and the system immediately pops up several number combinations for direct selection—fast and effortless. Especially when purchasing a second car, I stopped creating custom plates to avoid wasting time on repeated attempts. Moreover, randomly generated numbers typically have no duplication risks, making them more reliable. Of course, custom plates are appealing, such as embedding personal information, but they require pre-planning multiple combinations, and if taken, you have to start over, potentially slowing down the entire registration process. I recommend new car owners or those pressed for time to opt for the random route—get on the road first and consider personalization later. This approach is both efficient and practical, preventing regrets.

[SanAmara]

It depends on the situation. If you particularly value the meaning of the license plate number, such as wanting a commemorative or auspicious number, then try customizing first. Input multiple sets of numbers on the selection platform to avoid duplicates, and switch to random selection if it doesn't work. On the other hand, if speed is your priority, going straight to random selection saves time, with results in seconds, which is suitable for busy people. The key is to decide the order based on your own preferences.

[JonathanMarie]

I personally prefer customizing the license plate first, as it brings more emotional satisfaction. When choosing the number, I think about designing a special combination, such as my child's birth year or initials, so that I feel happy every time I see it while driving. However, it's important to check the rules in advance, as custom plates are restricted in many places. You might need multiple backup options to prevent selection failures. If it doesn't work out, randomly selecting one is fine too—just pick one that looks good. After all, a license plate is just a number, and there's really no need to overthink it. The process of choosing the number itself is part of the fun.

[EllieMarie]

I think the selection order depends on personal needs. Customizing makes the car more unique, but it may be time-consuming and requires inputting alternative numbers for verification. Random selection is fast and reliable, suitable for users who prioritize efficiency. My suggestion is to first try a custom plan, and if it doesn't work, switch to random selection, balancing personality and practicality.