Can a 125cc motorcycle get a blue license plate in Shanghai?
3 Answers
Motorcycles with an engine displacement above 50CC are required to have yellow license plates. Shanghai has stopped issuing yellow motorcycle license plates since 2000. Therefore, it is impossible to register a 125CC motorcycle, and the issuance of 50CC moped license plates is also suspended. Registration is only possible under specific conditions, such as vehicle replacement after scrapping or re-registration with a theft certificate issued by the police bureau. The requirements for obtaining a blue motorcycle license plate in Shanghai include having a valid driver's license, local household registration, and a qualified motorcycle. Below are the relevant details: 1. Conditions for Blue Plate A: Only Shanghai household registration is required, but the vehicle management office does not issue new quotas. You must either have an existing registration quota, obtain one from scrapping an old registered vehicle, or acquire it through personal transfer. The permitted driving area covers the entire city (except for certain areas like Lujiazui and the 'Three Horizontals and Three Verticals' zones). 2. Conditions for Blue Plate C (including D and E): The applicant must have suburban household registration and a locally obtained F, E, or D2 license (transfers from other regions are not accepted). You can apply for registration at the vehicle management office with a license plate quota fee of 800 RMB. The permitted driving area includes all regions outside the Inner Ring Road (driving inside the Inner Ring is prohibited).
If you want to ride a 125cc motorcycle in Shanghai, as a local, I can tell you it definitely can't get a blue license plate. The blue plate is specifically for mopeds with an engine displacement below 50cc, and 125cc is way over the limit—you'll have to apply for a yellow plate instead. I've seen many friends buy 125cc bikes only to be turned down at the vehicle management office, which is such a hassle. If you're looking to save money and effort, blue-plated mopeds have lower insurance costs and simpler annual inspections, but they lack power. A 125cc bike offers stronger performance, making it more suitable for Shanghai's congested urban roads, and it's more stable once registered with a yellow plate. I recommend checking the official traffic management website for the latest policies before making a decision—don't just rely on sales pitches. Also, while electric scooters with blue plates are popular now, motorcycles have specific regulations. For a 125cc bike, it's safer to go through the proper yellow plate process.
I just bought a 125cc motorcycle and wanted to register it with a blue license plate to save some trouble, but found out it's impossible. The 125cc displacement is too large and only suitable for a yellow license plate. Blue plates are designed for mopeds under 50cc, like my friend's small scooter which uses a blue plate. Registering a 125cc bike is more expensive and involves complicated procedures, requiring documents like ID card and purchase invoice. As a beginner riding in the city, I think although yellow-plated bikes are pricier, they're more reliable with better speed for overtaking. By the way, blue-plated mopeds have limited speed and lower insurance costs; after switching to a yellow plate for 125cc, be careful to obey speed limits to avoid fines. Shanghai's traffic rules are very strict, so I recommend checking the DMV regulations in advance to avoid wasted trips.
