What are the procedures for replacing license plate screws at the DMV?
3 Answers
Bring the vehicle's registration documents to the local DMV to apply. For newly registered vehicles, applying for screws at the DMV is free. If the license plate screws are lost or fall off due to personal reasons, the owner will need to pay a certain fee when applying for replacements.
I previously lost a license plate screw, and the replacement procedure at the vehicle management office was quite simple and convenient—the whole process took less than an hour. Just bring your ID card and the original vehicle registration certificate, and go directly to the local vehicle management office window to queue. The staff will ask you to fill out an application form, stating the reason for the screw loss, such as accidental loosening or damage—usually, no lengthy explanation is needed. The fee is around 10 to 20 yuan, and you can immediately receive a new set of anti-theft screws after payment. Once you get the screws, install them yourself, and remember to tighten them securely with a screwdriver to ensure the license plate doesn’t fall off. If the screws were stolen, you might need to file a report at the police station, but this situation is rare. After completing the process, don’t forget to check the stability of the license plate—safety first, to avoid being fined if stopped by traffic police on the road. It’s recommended to go during off-peak hours, such as before 10 a.m., to avoid long queues.
The screws on my car license plate were loose, so I went to get them replaced. The process was a breeze. Just bring your ID card and vehicle registration certificate straight to the DMV, head to the service window in the hall, and explain that you need replacement screws for a lost license plate. Fill out a simple form, pay a small fee (usually just a few dozen yuan), and you're set. Then you'll get new screws to install yourself, which takes less than five minutes. The key point is that anti-theft screws can only be purchased from the DMV—don't try to save money with regular screws as they're non-compliant. The whole process takes about half an hour if everything goes smoothly. I recommend checking the DMV's business hours in advance to avoid a wasted trip. Make sure to bring all required documents—missing even one means you'll have to make multiple trips. It's safer to address loose license plates early; wobbling on the road could lead to accidents.
