Vehicle Inspection First or Temporary License Plate First?
3 Answers
First conduct the vehicle inspection, then apply for the temporary license plate. When obtaining the temporary plate, you must fill out the temporary vehicle registration form as required and submit the following documents: 1. Identification documents of the vehicle owner and the agent; 2. Proof of the vehicle's origin; 3. For domestically produced vehicles, the whole vehicle factory qualification certificate, and for imported vehicles, the import certificate; 4. Rubbing molds of the vehicle identification code and engine number. Temporary license plates for motor vehicles are mainly divided into two types: one is the intra-district temporary plate, and the other is the inter-district temporary plate. The validity periods and usage scopes of the two are different. The intra-district temporary plate is generally used for unlicensed vehicles to drive on the road for a short time, such as when the owner purchases a new car from the 4S store and needs to drive the car home or to the vehicle management office. The inter-district temporary plate is generally used when the owner has already selected the official license plate and is waiting for the plate to be made.
As a new car owner, I was also confused about this sequence at first. Generally, I recommend inspecting the car before applying for a temporary license plate. The inspection ensures there are no major issues with the car, such as functioning brake lights and a stable engine. If you drive off with just a temporary plate and the car has problems, not only is it dangerous, but you might also face fines. In most cases, the DMV process requires a vehicle inspection to confirm the car is roadworthy before issuing a temporary plate. Otherwise, the temporary plate only allows you to drive for a few days without addressing underlying issues. Once at the DMV, I saw someone who got a temporary plate first but failed the inspection and had to start over, wasting time and money. The inspection usually includes an exterior check and electronic system tests. Once everything passes, applying for a temporary plate is straightforward, ensuring a safe and worry-free drive home. Buying a car is an exciting experience, and paying a little extra attention to avoid small mistakes can help you settle into driving life more smoothly.
I've been driving for over 20 years and have purchased several cars. The sequence is quite simple: getting the vehicle inspected first is absolutely the right way. The reason is straightforward - an inspection can identify potential issues early, such as body rust or wiring faults. Addressing these before applying for a temporary license plate ensures worry-free driving. Once, I rushed to get a temporary plate for a business trip, only to have my schedule delayed when problems were found during inspection - a lesson learned the hard way. Now, I always complete the inspection at either the DMV or dealership first to confirm everything is in order before applying for a temporary plate. This not only saves time but also avoids additional costs - temporary plates have expiration dates, and if the car isn't repaired in time, you might need to reapply, wasting both money and energy. In short, experience teaches us that after purchasing a car, taking it step by step patiently and only getting a temporary plate when the vehicle is roadworthy is absolutely worthwhile.
