Why Do Car Wash Shops Require Vehicle License?

[StFelix]

Here are the relevant purposes for car wash shops requiring a vehicle license: 1. Insurance Renewal: After checking the insurance expiration date, a renewal specialist usually calls one month in advance to notify that the insurance is about to expire and needs renewal. From the renewal specialist's perspective: first, they want to avoid forgetting to renew. If the insurance expires while the vehicle is still in use and an accident occurs, the insurance company may be held accountable for not notifying the policyholder about the upcoming expiration. 2. Customer Data Collection: For example, if a phone number is registered on a platform, after completing the service offline, there might be an SMS notification asking: Are you satisfied with this service?

[DeTimothy]

Oh, I've encountered this several times. Car washes mainly ask for the vehicle license because some shops have partnerships with insurance companies. For example, if your car gets scratched or needs cleaning after an accident, they require the license to record vehicle details for later insurance claims. Additionally, many car washes now offer membership services or app reward systems, so they need to register your license plate number to link it to your account, saving you the hassle of showing a card every time. Last time at my neighborhood car wash, they asked to scan my vehicle license, claiming it was for sending coupons and exclusive services. Honestly, most car washes don’t enforce this strictly. If you’re uncomfortable, you can always ask about the purpose or avoid places with extra services. After years of driving, I think it’s just a business practice—no need to worry too much about privacy leaks, as long as it’s not some shady little shop.

[PeytonRose]

I remember discussing this topic with a friend. Car washes may ask for the vehicle registration certificate to verify the owner's identity, especially in big cities, to prevent fraudulent use or unauthorized services. For example, at chain stores, after binding with their app, they need to confirm you're the actual owner to earn points redeemable for car wash coupons, avoiding potential issues. Additionally, some car wash spots, during promotions like prize draws offering free wash cards, may take the opportunity to register license plates and build a customer database. I've encountered similar situations at roadside shops before, where they asked for it when applying for an annual membership card. Honestly, this practice is quite common but not particularly meaningful. We can simply ask the car wash attendant for the reason directly. If uncomfortable, opting for cash payments or self-service car wash stations avoids privacy concerns. In daily life, such matters are usually efficiency-driven—no need to overthink it.

[SanPaisley]

As someone frequently dealing with the car wash industry, let me briefly explain. Car wash shops generally don't require the vehicle license, but there are exceptions in certain scenarios, such as when professional services need to verify specific model details. For example, some high-end car wash facilities use automated equipment that requires adjusting cleaning angles or adding specific care agents based on the information in the vehicle license; or when collaborating with car clubs, registering the license plate facilitates subsequent benefit distribution. I've seen many car owners misunderstand this, suspecting foul play. In reality, it's just about improving service accuracy and reducing mistakes. I recommend checking if the shop has posted explanations about the usage. In most cases, providing the license plate number is sufficient, and the vehicle license isn't necessary. The key is clear communication.