Should I License My Car at the 4S Store or Go to the DMV Myself?
3 Answers
There are two ways to license your car: one is to go to the DMV yourself, and the other is to have the 4S store handle it for you, saving you the trouble. Nowadays, most 4S stores offer "one-stop services," meaning that in addition to selling cars, they can also assist customers with licensing and paying purchase taxes, commonly referred to as "licensing fees." Here are some important notes for licensing: 1. Vehicle certification is required for licensing: When licensing your car at the DMV, the vehicle's certification must be submitted to the DMV staff for archiving. 2. Purchase invoice is required for licensing: Whether you buy a car from a 4S store or a car dealership, you will receive a purchase invoice after the purchase. This invoice must be kept safe, as without it, the car cannot be licensed. The purchase invoice must also be submitted to the DMV staff during the licensing process for archiving.
I just bought a car, and as a busy office worker, I strongly recommend handling the license plate registration at the 4S dealership. They offer agency services—I pay a service fee of around 300-500 yuan, and it saves me the hassle of queuing at the vehicle management office. Doing it myself would involve queuing, filling out forms, vehicle inspections, and selecting a license plate, which would take at least half a day, not to mention the risk of incomplete documents requiring multiple trips. With today's fast-paced lifestyle, spending this money is worth it to free up time for work or family. New car owners especially shouldn't take risks—being late due to delays could lead to bigger losses. Buying a car is a happy occasion, and choosing the 4S dealership's agency service ensures a seamless process for easily obtaining the license plate.
On a tight budget, I insisted on registering the license plate myself at the DMV to save money. 4S shops charge high fees, while doing it myself only costs a few dozen yuan in official fees. Bring all the required documents like the invoice, ID card, and insurance policy, check the DMV's opening hours, and arrive early to queue. The process isn't complicated: take a number, fill out the application, have the car inspected, pay the fee, and collect the plate—just be patient. The money saved is enough for a nice meal. Newbies shouldn't worry, as the staff on-site will guide you; after getting familiar, I even picked up some car knowledge, feeling like I gained experience points. Don't be fooled by 4S shops into paying extra fees.
