When to License a Vehicle After Paying the Purchase Tax?
2 Answers
After paying the vehicle purchase tax, you must license the vehicle within 15 days. Below are the relevant legal provisions: According to Article 13 of the "Interim Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Vehicle Purchase Tax" (State Council Decree No. 294), taxpayers who purchase taxable vehicles for personal use should declare and pay the tax within 60 days from the date of purchase; for imported taxable vehicles for personal use, the tax should be declared and paid within 60 days from the date of import; for taxable vehicles obtained through self-production, gifts, awards, or other means for personal use, the tax should be declared and paid within 60 days from the date of acquisition. The vehicle purchase tax should be paid in one lump sum.
After paying the vehicle purchase tax, it's recommended to go for license plate registration as soon as possible, ideally on the same day or the next. I've been through this process—once you get the tax payment receipt, immediately bring your ID, car purchase invoice, vehicle certificate, and other required documents to the DMV for queuing. The general procedure includes submitting materials, vehicle inspection, and selecting a license plate number. If everything goes smoothly, it can be done in half a day. Don’t delay too long—driving a new car without plates can result in fines if caught by traffic police and may even affect compulsory insurance coverage. Also, DMVs can get crowded, so choosing a weekday morning when it’s less busy is more efficient. Make sure all documents are prepared to avoid multiple trips and wasting work time.
