Should I Get My Car Licensed at the 4S Shop or the DMV Myself?
2 Answers
There are two ways to get your car licensed: one is to go to the DMV yourself, and the other is to have the 4S shop handle it for you, saving you the hassle. Nowadays, most 4S shops offer "one-stop services," meaning that besides selling cars, they can also assist customers with licensing and paying purchase taxes, commonly referred to as "licensing fees." Here is some additional information: 1. Licensing Fees: Generally, 4S shops do not force consumers to pay licensing fees; it is up to the individual to decide. You can either go to the DMV yourself to get the license and pay the purchase tax or delegate the task to the 4S shop. 2. DIY Licensing: If you go to the DMV yourself, you need to bring personal documents, the triplicate invoice, the vehicle qualification certificate, and the tax receipts obtained after paying the purchase tax. Drive the car to the DMV for inspection, and after the inspection, you can go to the hall to choose your license plate. Of course, queuing is inevitable. It's best to go with two people to save a lot of time—one can queue for payment and form-filling while the other queues for photo-taking and vehicle inspection.
When I first bought a car, I got the license plate done at the 4S store, which was quite hassle-free. They took care of everything, including preparing the vehicle invoice, ID card copies, and so on. All I had to do was sit and wait. No need to personally visit the DMV, avoiding long queues and complicated procedures, especially in big cities where DMVs are crowded. The whole process was completed in a day or two, and they were familiar with local regulations, reducing the risk of errors. Although it might cost an extra hundred or two in service fees, time is money, and it was totally worth it for me. First-time car buyers should really consider this option to save a lot of headaches. Remember to ask the 4S store for details to ensure everything is covered clearly.