Can a car without license plates drive on the highway?

[BraydenDella]

A car without license plates cannot drive on the highway. According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, unregistered new cars are not allowed on the road, let alone on the highway. They must be registered with the traffic management department of the public security authority before they can be driven on the road. If temporary road use is needed, a temporary license plate should be obtained. To apply for a temporary license plate, the car buyer needs to provide their ID card, car purchase invoice, compulsory traffic insurance policy, and the vehicle's factory certificate. Copies of these four documents must also be carried. A temporary license plate is a paper vehicle license that permits temporary road use for motor vehicles, also known as a temporary vehicle movement permit. It is a temporary driving certificate issued by the vehicle management department of the public security authority for newly purchased vehicles before formal registration.

[DelColton]

I happened to encounter this situation recently. The week I picked up my new car, I had to go on a long-distance trip. I specifically went to the vehicle management office to get a blue-background temporary license plate for cross-province use. The staff said that as long as the temporary plate is within its validity period and properly displayed on the front and rear windshields, it's fine to drive on the highway. However, you need to pay attention to the type of temporary plate—those brown-yellow ones limited to local city use won't work. The validity period of a temporary plate is usually 15 to 30 days. Once, I almost let mine expire but luckily got my official license plate on the last day. You can't use the ETC lane at highway entrances; you have to go through the manual lane to register your documents. If driving at night, it's best to bring the car purchase invoice and compulsory traffic insurance certificate. Also, remember to lock the doors when resting at service areas.

[DelVivienne]

I have handled many cases involving temporary license plates on highways. The key points are: unregistered vehicles must use valid temporary license plates, and only the cross-jurisdiction type allows nationwide highway access. When applying, bring the owner's ID card, purchase invoice, compulsory insurance policy, and vehicle certification. Temporary plates should be affixed, not just placed, at the lower right corner of the windshield without obstructing the view. Special attention: schedule vehicle inspection and registration three working days before the temporary plate expires. Some clients waited until the last day and encountered system upgrades, causing delays. When using highways, carry a paper insurance policy for inspection, as some toll stations still require verification despite the digital trend.