Will the 4S dealership provide temporary license plates when picking up a new car?

[StEvelyn]

Will provide temporary license plates. The relevant information is as follows: Requirements for obtaining temporary license plates: When applying for temporary license plates, you must fill out the "Temporary Vehicle Registration Form" as required and submit the following documents: 1. Identification documents of the vehicle owner and the agent; 2. Proof of the vehicle's origin; 3. For domestically produced vehicles, the whole vehicle factory qualification certificate; for imported vehicles, the import certificate; 4. Rubbing module of the vehicle identification number (VIN) and engine number. After reviewing the above documents and ensuring they comply with regulations, and after passing the safety and technical performance inspection of the vehicle, the vehicle management office will issue temporary license plates, specifying the validity period and the start and end locations. Starting from June 1, 2019, it has been fully implemented that 4S dealerships can issue temporary license plates on behalf of the authorities.

[LaCora]

Throughout the process of purchasing a new car, I've noticed that 4S dealerships typically provide temporary license plates as part of the vehicle delivery service. This is mainly because new cars leave the factory without official registration plates, and you need temporary plates to legally drive the car home or to the DMV for registration. Usually, the dealership staff will affix the temporary plates for you before delivery—either as a small sticker placed directly on the windshield or as a printed temporary plate number. The validity period is generally around 15 days, giving you enough buffer time to complete the formal procedures. I recommend checking the details of the temporary plates on the day of pickup, such as whether they clearly display your name, the vehicle model, and the expiration date, to avoid being questioned by the police on the road. If the dealership forgets to provide them, don’t rush to drive off—ask the sales manager to arrange a replacement immediately, as driving without plates could result in fines or even vehicle impoundment. In short, this is a standard procedure, so there’s no need to worry too much, but it’s always good to double-check.

[DelKyle]

From my experience, 4S stores must provide temporary license plates as it's a legal requirement - otherwise new cars can't be driven on roads. If you drive out without one and get stopped by traffic police, you might face a 200 yuan fine or even penalty points, which is serious trouble. In most cities, 4S stores have cooperative relationships with vehicle management offices and can quickly process temporary plates during delivery to save you hassle. I've seen some small stores occasionally skip this step, but as long as it's confirmed in your purchase contract, they're responsible for handling it. My advice is to proactively ask 'Is the temporary plate ready?' during pickup, and ensure it's properly placed - either on the front windshield corner or near the rearview mirror - to avoid it falling off mid-drive causing issues.

[VonAdam]

On the day I picked up my new car, I was super excited. The dealership staff casually handed me a temporary license plate and I stuck it directly on the windshield. Without it, I wouldn't have felt at ease driving my new car home - otherwise I'd have to explain myself if stopped on the road. The temporary plate was valid for about 15 days, during which I smoothly processed the formal registration. I think most car buyers encounter similar situations, as it's basically standard service at 4S stores. But just in case, remember to double-check if the temporary plate information is correct when taking delivery.