What is the process for license plate registration after picking up the car?
3 Answers
Below is the process for license plate registration after picking up the car: 1. Obtain the vehicle qualification certificate. The vehicle qualification certificate is very important as the vehicle must be registered. Currently, some car 4S stores delay providing the vehicle qualification certificate, which can postpone the registration process. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain the vehicle qualification certificate as soon as possible by communicating more with the 4S store and being firm in your approach; otherwise, the 4S store may delay providing it for several days. 2. Keep the triplicate car purchase invoice. After purchasing the car, the 4S store will issue a triplicate car purchase invoice, which must be kept properly as it will be used in subsequent registration processes. The invoice consists of red, yellow, and blue copies, with the red and yellow copies usually submitted and the yellow copy retained by the buyer. 3. Pay the vehicle purchase tax and obtain the original and duplicate tax certificates. After purchasing the vehicle, it is necessary to pay the vehicle purchase tax as soon as possible, usually at the nearest vehicle management office. After successfully paying the vehicle purchase tax, the original and duplicate tax certificates will be issued, which should be kept safely. 4. Prepare various documents in advance. Prepare the original ID card and copies (make several copies for backup). Non-local residents need to provide the original and copies of the temporary residence permit. 5. Choose the vehicle license plate number. Once all procedures are complete, you can go to the vehicle management office to register and apply for a license plate. First, a specialized traffic police officer will inspect the vehicle, mainly checking the vehicle identification code, vehicle appearance, and the vehicle's warning triangle plate, which should be prepared in advance. 6. Pay the fee and wait to receive the license plate. After the vehicle inspection, you can go to the vehicle management office hall to select a license plate number. Generally, there are two options: self-selection or random selection, and you can choose either method.
When I first picked up my car, the license plate registration process was a bit of a hassle but quite interesting. First, gather all the necessary documents: original and photocopy of ID card, car purchase invoice, vehicle certificate of conformity, and compulsory insurance proof—this must be purchased in advance, or they won’t allow registration. Head straight to the DMV, preferably early or book an online appointment to avoid queues. During the vehicle inspection, they’ll carefully check the VIN and configurations, so don’t rush. There are two ways to choose a license plate: customize a combination like a special date or birthday, or go for a random quick pick. Custom plates take a few days to produce, while random picks allow you to get a temporary plate immediately for driving. Fees include around a hundred yuan for the plate and a few dozen for processing—total cost isn’t expensive. I recommend getting insurance done the same day and heading to the DMV the next day to finish everything; the whole process should wrap up within a week or two. Just remember, temporary plates have a limited validity of only a few days.
As a first-time car buyer, getting the license plate was a bit confusing but quick to pick up. After picking up the car, don't rush to hit the road. Before heading to the DMV, prepare four things: personal ID, car purchase invoice, vehicle certification, and compulsory insurance policy. Once there, take a number and submit the documents. During the inspection, the staff will open the hood to check the serial number and ensure the car is problem-free. The most fun part is choosing the plate number—custom plates let you create personalized ones like name initials, but the wait is longer. Random plates can be selected on the spot, and you'll get a temporary paper plate to stick on your car immediately. The fee is a few hundred yuan, paid in one go, covering plate production. The whole process takes a day, and weekdays with fewer people make it smoother. I forgot to bring copies and had to make two trips—lesson learned: always make double copies.
