Can a 4.2-meter vehicle be registered with a yellow license plate?

[Angel]

A vehicle that is already registered with a 4.2-meter length cannot be re-registered with a yellow license plate. Vehicle types eligible for yellow license plates: Yellow license plates are applicable to large vehicles such as tanker trucks, cargo trucks, and semi-trailer tractors; trailers including full trailers and semi-trailers not permanently attached to tractors; regular motorcycles and training motorcycles; agricultural-use vehicles; low-speed vehicles including three-wheeled automobiles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, and low-speed cargo trucks; ordinary M2-class light buses; medium and large buses; cargo trucks with a load capacity exceeding 1.0 tons, etc. Differences in toll fees between yellow and blue license plate vehicles: On highways, blue license plate vehicles are charged lower tolls, while yellow license plate vehicles generally incur higher charges. Factors such as the size and weight of yellow plate vehicles contribute to the relatively higher costs.

[StGraham]

I'm a veteran truck driver with over a decade of experience. A 4.2-meter length usually indicates a light truck, and whether it gets a blue license plate or yellow one mainly depends on the vehicle's weight. When regulations were looser before, many 4.2-meter trucks had blue plates as long as the gross weight didn't exceed 4.5 tons. Now with stricter enforcement, if the truck's curb weight plus cargo exceeds 4.5 tons, it must have a yellow plate. Take my Foton Aumark for example - if you choose the reinforced chassis option, the weight exceeds 4.5 tons, so it can only get a yellow plate. Recently, I've often seen traffic police checking overweight blue-plate light trucks at highway exits, with many drivers getting fined. So when buying a truck, you must ask the manufacturer about its maximum gross weight. Yellow-plate trucks require a Class B license to drive, and for long-distance trips, you also need to watch out for restricted zones, which can be quite troublesome.

[MacHector]

I just bought a 4.2-meter box van for transportation last year. Whether it requires a yellow license plate depends mainly on the vehicle's announced parameters. I specifically checked back then - for a 4.2-meter truck to qualify for a blue plate, it must meet two criteria: length under 6 meters and gross weight ≤4.5 tons. If you buy a reinforced chassis or high-side truck, the weight easily exceeds standards. For example, my neighbor's FAW J6F exceeded 4.5 tons and had to get a yellow plate. Yellow plates not only require higher-class licenses (B2), but also cost over 2,000 yuan more annually for insurance. When purchasing, focus on the total mass marked on the certification - if over 4.5 tons, forget about blue plates. Overload enforcement is extremely strict now - a single violation can mean fines over 1,000 yuan, which isn't worth it.

[Antonio]

Over the years working at the vehicle management office, the licensing standards for 4.2-meter trucks are clear: vehicles with a total weight ≤4.5 tons can get blue license plates, while overweight ones must use yellow plates. Many owners overlook the vehicle's curb weight—most 4.2-meter empty trucks weigh around 2.8 tons, so exceeding 1.7 tons in cargo would surpass the limit. Especially for refrigerated trucks or high-railing trucks, added equipment or railings can easily push them over the threshold. After last year's policy tightening, compliant blue-plate models must now be equipped with tire pressure monitoring and anti-lock braking systems, requiring earlier inspections. It's advisable to bring the vehicle's certificate of conformity to the local vehicle management office to check the official parameters, avoiding issues during licensing.