BUYING a new car in Shenzhen no longer has to mean spending hours shuttling between dealerships, insurance companies and government offices.

Thanks to a streamlined digital service, many drivers can now complete insurance, vehicle tax payment, registration and license plate applications through a single online process, with some dealerships offering one-stop registration before customers drive away in their new vehicles.

The change comes as China rolls out a nationwide policy allowing domestically manufactured passenger cars to be purchased, taxed and registered on the same day. Shenzhen, one of the first pilot cities to test an integrated digital registration system, provided much of the groundwork before the policy was expanded nationwide.

For residents who prefer to handle the process themselves, most registration procedures can be completed through the “交管12123” (“Traffic Management 12123”) mobile app, with registration documents and license plates delivered by mail after approval.

“I thought I’d have to visit several offices over a few days,” Shenzhen resident Lin, who recently purchased a new car, said. “Instead, I completed everything on my phone, and my registration documents will be mailed directly to me.”

The reform integrates what were previously separate procedures — including insurance, vehicle purchase tax, registration review and license plate selection — into a single digital workflow supported by data sharing among multiple government agencies.

The initiative is part of Shenzhen’s broader push to digitize public services.

The city has expanded its vehicle and driver licensing network to nearly 600 service locations, creating what officials describe as a three-kilometer convenience network that places most services within a short trip of residents’ homes or workplaces.

Many routine services, including driver’s license renewal, can also be completed at 24-hour self-service centers equipped with automated health check stations, photo booths and document-printing machines.

Shenzhen police say 41 frequently used vehicle administration services are now available online, with about 60% of transactions completed digitally. The city has also introduced dedicated service counters to help residents resolve complex or unsuccessful applications.

Officials say several aspects of Shenzhen’s vehicle administration system — including 24-hour self-service centers and integrated online processing — have already been adopted by other Chinese cities.

(SD News)