The Difference Between Vehicle Registration and License Plating

[McLydia]

Vehicle registration is similar to household registration, meaning the ownership of the vehicle belongs to an individual. License plating, simply put, is giving the vehicle a name. The license plate number is assigned based on the provincial jurisdiction code, which facilitates management. From this, it can be seen that vehicle registration and license plating are two different concepts. Additional Information: Materials required for license plating: ID card, vehicle certificate of conformity, vehicle parameter sheet, vehicle invoice, vehicle purchase tax, vehicle insurance policy, purchase invoice, vehicle qualification certificate, and temporary residence permit for non-locals. License plating process: Before license plating, prepare the relevant vehicle materials, obtain the registration application form and external inspection form, take photos, print the motor vehicle parameter sheet, then undergo inspection, followed by license plating, and finally affix the environmental card to receive the vehicle license and registration certificate.

[McJayden]

I only figured this out when I bought my car last year. Vehicle registration is actually the process of officially registering the car under your name at the DMV to prove ownership. You need to bring your ID, purchase invoice, and certificate of conformity, among other documents. After registration, a file number is generated—this is the foundation for making the car legal to drive on the road. Getting license plates, on the other hand, means receiving and installing those metal plates, usually done a few days after registration. You can either have them mailed after selecting a number or pick them up on-site. Many people mistakenly think they’re the same thing, but they’re fundamentally different—registration confirms ownership, while plates display the identifier. The process is straightforward but time-consuming, so set aside half a day for DMV queues. If you don’t complete the plate process, police may fine you during inspections. For safety, it’s best to get this done before buying insurance.

[Palacios]

After helping friends with the procedures multiple times, I've realized that vehicle registration is more like creating a file, recording the vehicle information and owner details, including the engine number; while license plate installation is the actual operation of mounting the selected plate onto the vehicle. The difference is quite significant. Registration requires submitting various paper documents, and you only get a temporary plate to use after completion; whereas plate installation is much faster, with the number issued on the same day. A common issue is that owners forget to install the plate after completing registration, resulting in the vehicle being unable to be transferred. It's advisable to bring all original and photocopied documents to the DMV to get everything done in one trip. After completion, remember to check if the plate is securely fixed to prevent accidents due to loosening while driving. This distinction is crucial for a smooth DMV process and directly affects insurance renewal and annual inspections.