What is the process for obtaining a license plate in Shanghai?
4 Answers
Shanghai's license plate acquisition process is as follows: 1. Document preparation: Owner's ID card and copy, original and duplicate of compulsory traffic insurance, the 4th and 1st copies of the car purchase invoice, vehicle certificate and copy; 2. Vehicle inspection; 3. Review and number selection; 4. Collecting the license plate and relevant certification documents. The vehicle license plate is a hard-plate number tag with a unified format and style as stipulated by national vehicle management regulations. It is issued by the vehicle management authority after reviewing, inspecting, and registering the vehicle applying for the plate. The vehicle registration certificate is issued by the vehicle management authority, recording the main content of the vehicle's initial registration. It is kept by the owner, carried with the vehicle, and serves as a unified format registration book for recording changes and inspections at any time.
As a new car owner in Shanghai, I found the license plate application process a bit complicated but manageable step by step. After purchasing the car, the 4S dealership helped me obtain temporary plates valid for three days. Next, I had to pay the vehicle purchase tax at the tax bureau, bringing the original invoice and ID card - queuing took about one to two hours. Then I needed to schedule a vehicle inspection at the DMV, which I booked in advance through their mobile app to avoid the morning rush. On inspection day, I brought the insurance policy and vehicle certification for safety checks by officials. The exciting part was randomly selecting my plate number at the DMV's self-service kiosk. Finally, after attaching the metal plates to my new car, the entire process took two days. My advice for beginners: prepare all document copies in advance to avoid multiple trips - stay patient and organized, and you'll get through it smoothly.
I'm an experienced driver, getting a Shanghai license plate is a piece of cake for me. After buying a car, first get a temporary license for convenient driving without wasting time. Paying taxes is very simple, just a few minutes if you have all the invoices. You need to make an appointment in advance for vehicle inspection at the DMV. I prefer going early, arriving before 9am to avoid long queues. The inspection checks lights and brakes, just bring your documents and it's effortless. For plate selection, I go for on-site random selection - good or bad numbers depend on luck, but the process is quick. Once I get the plates, I put them on immediately and hit the road. A reminder: new energy vehicle plates don't require auction, much simpler than fuel vehicles. The whole process takes half a day - with enough experience nothing is difficult, just prepare some patience.
As an ordinary car owner, getting a license plate in Shanghai isn't too difficult. After purchasing a new car, head straight to the DMV to schedule an inspection date - going during off-peak hours improves efficiency. Complete tax payment at the tax bureau, and don't forget to bring the certificate of conformity. During the inspection, they'll check lights and emissions, so clean your vehicle in advance to avoid hassles. I used the random selection method for choosing my plate number and finalized it quickly. The entire process took about 4 hours - half a day with proper planning is sufficient. Be careful not to miss any required documents to save yourself unnecessary trouble.
