Can a car without license plates travel across provinces?

[RachelAnn]

A car without license plates cannot travel across provinces. Here is the relevant information: 1. License plates: License plates, commonly known as vehicle plates, refer to the number plates attached to the front and rear of a vehicle. They are typically made of aluminum, sheet metal, plastic, or paper, and display the vehicle's registration number, registration region, or other relevant information. 2. Function: The license plate number serves as the identification of the vehicle, much like an ID number for a person. According to the 'Road Traffic Management Regulations,' the vehicle license plate and the vehicle registration certificate are the legal documents permitting a car to be driven on public roads.

[DelDante]

If you bought a car without license plates and want to take a long cross-province trip, as a car owner, I'm telling you this won't work. Traffic regulations strictly prohibit unlicensed vehicles from driving on roads, including interprovincial highways. Police will impound the car and issue fines starting from hundreds of yuan if they find no plates, and may also deduct points. A friend of mine was in a hurry to drive his new car home for urgent matters but got stopped, wasting a whole day, and had to return to wait for plates. Temporary plates also have restricted areas, usually only valid locally. My advice is to contact the DMV for temporary plates before hitting the road—it's safer and hassle-free. Don't take the risk; the smart choice to save time and money is to wait for official plates before planning long trips. Before checking the vehicle, ensure all paperwork is complete to avoid unnecessary delays affecting your journey.

[ElliotRose]

After driving long distances a few times, I deeply understand the significant risks of driving an unlicensed car across provinces. From a safety perspective, highway police inspections are frequent, and an unlicensed vehicle may be impounded, causing delays and posing dangers. In case of an accident, insurance may refuse to cover an unlicensed car, and unclear liability in collisions or accidents can lead to further complications. New drivers often overlook this and rush onto highways, only to be turned back midway, wasting their trip. Temporary license plates can partially alleviate the issue but are often restricted for cross-province travel. I recommend new drivers confirm the validity of local temporary plates before departure or apply for nationwide temporary plates. During regular maintenance, mention this to the mechanic to avoid legal issues causing unexpected problems. Moving forward cautiously is far more reliable than taking risks.

[MacGeorge]

A word of caution on the financial burden: Taking an unlicensed car across provinces incurs significant costs. If caught by police, fines start at 300 RMB plus penalty points, with additional towing fees in some areas. Towing it back home for processing wastes both time and money. During the insurance period, accidents involving unlicensed vehicles often result in claim denials, leaving you to cover the losses. I've seen a friend lose over 10,000 RMB in one trip, which also affected future insurance purchases. Temporary plates are slightly better but come with strict regional restrictions—often invalid across provinces. To save time, clarify the coverage area before getting temp plates to avoid wasted trips. Crunch the numbers—taking high-speed rail or renting a car for interprovincial travel proves more cost-effective, minimizing losses and ensuring peace of mind.