What are the requirements for buying a car in Hangzhou?
2 Answers
Residents of the city, local household registration personnel, non-local household registration personnel holding valid "Zhejiang Residence Permit" or "Zhejiang Talent Introduction Residence Permit", aged 18 or above, and have no small passenger vehicles registered in the city or all small passenger vehicles registered in the city are recorded as forcibly canceled. The following is relevant information: Automobile: A non-track bearing vehicle driven by power, with 4 or more wheels, mainly used for transporting people and/or goods; towing vehicles for transporting people and/or goods; special purposes. Engine: The engine is the power device of the car, consisting of 2 major mechanisms and 5 major systems: the crank connecting rod mechanism, the valve mechanism, the cooling system, the fuel supply system, the lubrication system, the ignition system, and the starting system. However, diesel engines have one less ignition system than gasoline engines.
Buying a car in Hangzhou, as a local, I just went through the process last year. First, you need to prepare personal documents, and an ID card is a must. If you have a local Hangzhou household registration, it's straightforward. However, non-locals must obtain a Hangzhou residence permit in advance and have a record of continuous social security contributions, typically for more than two years. The license plate is a major issue—Hangzhou has license plate restrictions. For conventional gasoline cars, you need to participate in a lottery or auction. The lottery odds are very low, and auctions usually cost tens of thousands of yuan, so it's best to apply online in advance. Buying the car itself isn't too troublesome, but you need to budget carefully. Beyond the car price, there's a 10% purchase tax and insurance costs, so don’t underestimate the total cost. New energy vehicles, like pure electric or plug-in hybrids, have much easier license plate registration—direct and free without a lottery, and they also save on purchase tax. I recommend checking the policies on the Hangzhou Vehicle Management Office or government website first to ensure all qualifications are met before proceeding.
