What are the vehicle documents?
4 Answers
Vehicle documents include the vehicle license, driver's license, compulsory traffic insurance, vehicle and vessel usage tax, green environmental protection label, and motor vehicle registration certificate. Below are the detailed introductions: Vehicle License: It is the legal document permitting the motor vehicle to drive on roads within the country. Driver's License: Officially known as the motor vehicle driver's license, also referred to as a 'driving license,' it is the license required by law for motor vehicle drivers. Compulsory Traffic Insurance Certificate: The full name is 'Compulsory Traffic Accident Liability Insurance for Motor Vehicles.' Vehicle and Vessel Usage Tax: Refers to a type of fiscal tax levied on vehicles and vessels that are required by law to be registered with public security, transportation, agriculture, fishery, military, and other administrative departments within China, calculated based on their type, according to the prescribed tax calculation basis and annual tax amount standards. Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate: For motor vehicles that have reached the national mandatory scrapping standards, the owner must fill out an application form and submit the motor vehicle registration certificate, license plate, and vehicle license when selling the vehicle to a recycling enterprise.
When I first got my new car, I wasn't quite clear about the vehicle documents either, but I figured it out later. The main ones are the vehicle registration certificate, which is the big green booklet—this is the key document proving the car belongs to you. The driving license must be carried with you at all times, as traffic police will check it when you're driving. The car purchase invoice is also very important; you'll need the original for license plate registration and ownership transfer. Keep the insurance policy safe, whether it's an electronic or paper copy, especially the compulsory traffic insurance one. There's also the vehicle qualification certificate, given when you buy a new car—the original will be taken during license plate registration, but you'll get a copy. The purchase tax payment proof is essential too, as it's checked when buying insurance or handling procedures. The annual inspection compliance label is now electronic, but the validity period will be noted on the driving license. It's best to keep all these documents in a file folder for easy access when needed.
With over a decade of driving experience, I'm quite familiar with vehicle documentation. The most crucial are the vehicle license and registration certificate: one should be carried for inspections, while the other serves as the car's ID kept at home. Insurance policies are now digital, but keeping a PDF copy on your phone is essential. Pay special attention to validity periods during annual inspections when updating the vehicle license records. It's best to laminate and preserve the purchase invoice and tax payment certificate as they're needed for vehicle transfers. During used car transactions, carefully check the registration certificate for transfer history and lien records. A friend once got fined for forgetting the vehicle license, so I now keep a waterproof pouch in a fixed spot in the glove compartment specifically for these essential documents.
Vehicle documents mainly include the following types: The vehicle license must be carried with the vehicle at all times; the registration certificate serves as proof of vehicle ownership; the purchase invoice is the original transaction document; the compulsory insurance section of the insurance policy is the most critical; the vehicle factory certificate; and the purchase tax payment certificate. The most commonly used document while driving is the vehicle license, which is essential for vehicle inspections. In the event of an accident, the insurance policy and a copy of the vehicle license are required. The registration certificate is the most important document when buying or selling a vehicle, as it is necessary to verify the file number and transfer registration records. Nowadays, many documents have been digitized, but the original documents should still be properly stored in a fireproof and moisture-proof location.
