What to Do If You Don't Want the Self-Selected License Plate Number Anymore?

[FinleyMarie]

If you no longer want your self-selected car license plate number, you can go to the vehicle management office to choose a new one. Here are the relevant details: 1. Requirements for reselection: If you are not satisfied with the number selected online, you must wait for the original self-selected number to expire and become invalid (usually 7-15 days) before you can choose a new one, but you cannot select the same number again. If you attempt to select a number online again, you may be denied for maliciously occupying license plate resources and will need to visit the vehicle management office for a random selection. 2. Reselection process: After successfully selecting a number, the license plate number is reserved for 3 working days starting from the next day. During this period, vehicles that have successfully selected a license plate number online are not allowed to choose another number or modify the submitted information via the internet. If you are dissatisfied with the self-selected license plate online, you can log in to the online self-selection system again after 3 working days to choose a new satisfactory number.

[NoraAnn]

This has happened to friends around me too. If you've just self-selected a license plate on the 12123 APP but haven't confirmed it yet, simply exit and reselect—it's similar to canceling an online order. If you've already confirmed but regret it, don't rush to the DMV to complete the process; the system allows a 3-day reconsideration period. If you give up during this time, you just can't select a plate online for the next 2 years. The most troublesome scenario is when the license plate has already been mounted—then you'd really have to consider transferring the vehicle or canceling and starting over, but you'd need to repay the plate fee and it would affect your insurance. Next time, I suggest spending a few more days brainstorming license plate options, writing down all the family's preferred alternatives on paper to compare, so you don't end up like my colleague who regretted choosing 'SB945' after the fact.

[MacEverly]

Regretting after selecting a license plate number can be handled in three ways for minimal hassle. If you haven't clicked the final confirmation on the DMV self-service machine, simply ask staff to cancel—it's the easiest option. If documents are submitted but plates aren't made yet, rush to the counter to forfeit your selection, though you'll be barred from choosing again for 30 days. Once plates are manufactured, like my cousin who reluctantly paid 500+ yuan last year to re-select (requiring two extra DMV trips), it becomes complicated. Note regional variations: Hangzhou offers a 5-day cooling-off period while Wuhan allows only 3 days. Pro tip: Avoid overly "auspicious" combinations like ‘250SB’ that may backfire humorously.

[MollyRose]

The golden remedy period for online license plate number selection regret is 72 hours. After submitting a self-selected number on the Traffic Management 12123 platform, the system will freeze that number for 72 hours, during which you can abandon it at any time. The process is quite simple: log into the app, go to 'License Plate Progress', and click 'Cancel Application'. However, be mentally prepared - after cancellation, the 12123 app will ban you from online number selection for two years, though on-site selection at the DMV remains unaffected. If you miss this three-day window and want to change after receiving the metal plate, you'll have to go through the lengthy and costly vehicle transfer process.