What documents are needed for car pickup?
2 Answers
You need to bring your ID card, a copy of your ID card, and your driver's license. No other documents are required. The documents and receipts you should have after purchasing a new car include: the vehicle registration certificate, the invoice from the purchase, the insurance policy, the vehicle registration certificate, the vehicle qualification certificate, the purchase tax receipt, the annual inspection, and the compulsory insurance label. Precautions for car pickup: First, visually inspect the body paint to check for scratches, spots, dents, and wear. Observe the paint under sufficient sunlight to see if there is any color difference. Open the door and push it from several angles to let light shine from different directions to check if the sheet metal is smooth and if there are any signs of repair. Check the vehicle nameplate. The car nameplate is located on the side of the driver's door or in the engine compartment. Pay attention to whether the manufacturing date is too far in the past. Generally, if the time exceeds six months, the car is likely to be a stock car or a test drive car. Also, the information on the vehicle nameplate should match the vehicle qualification certificate. Check the windshield. As shown in the figure, the numbers represent the most recent production year, and the dots represent the production month. If the dots are on the left side of the number, it means production in the first half of the year. Subtract the number of black dots from 7 to get the specific year. If the dots are on the right side of the number, it means production in the second half of the year. Subtract the number of black dots from 13 to get the specific year. Check the basic functions of the vehicle, such as whether the windows can be raised and lowered normally, whether the air conditioning is cooling, whether there is any odor from the vents, whether the functions of the central console are operating normally, whether the wipers are working properly, whether the sunroof can open and close normally, etc. Test run the vehicle. If you are allowed to start the engine, observe whether the engine idles smoothly, whether the steering wheel shakes noticeably, whether the front and rear seats vibrate noticeably, and whether there is any noticeable noise inside the car, etc.
When I first picked up my new car, I was incredibly excited, but I also knew the paperwork couldn’t be taken lightly. The essentials included my personal ID—the foundation for all procedures; a driver’s license, just in case I drove off or test-drove the car immediately; the original purchase contract, which contained vehicle details and pricing terms; payment proof like bank transfer records or cash receipts to ensure transparency and avoid disputes; insurance documents were absolutely critical—full coverage must be activated promptly for a new car, or there’d be risks on the road. I also brought proof of address, such as a utility bill, which might be needed for later license plate registration. On pickup day, I arrived early at the dealership and inspected the car’s exterior, tires, lights, and engine operation with the salesperson to spot hidden flaws. Experience taught me that bringing a car-savvy friend was the smartest move—they helped verify documents on-site and negotiate issues. The whole process took about two hours, so remember to allocate time for temporary plates and plan the first month’s maintenance schedule. After pickup, I snapped a celebratory photo to share the joy—it made all the prep feel worth it.
