Can a New Car Be Driven on the Road Without License Plates?
2 Answers
Driving without license plates is not allowed and may result in penalties. However, you can apply for temporary license plates to drive legally. According to the relevant provisions of the "Road Traffic Safety Law," driving a motor vehicle without displaying license plates is considered a violation. If caught, the traffic management department of the public security organ will impound the vehicle, require the owner to provide the corresponding license plates, and impose a fine and deduct 12 points from the driver's license as stipulated in Article 90. Additionally, if a new car without license plates is involved in a traffic accident, the insurance company may refuse to cover the commercial insurance claim, as driving without license plates falls under the insurer's exemption clause. Methods to apply for temporary license plates are as follows: Apply at the Vehicle Management Office The owner needs to bring their ID card, car purchase invoice, compulsory traffic insurance policy (copy), and the original and photocopy of the vehicle's factory qualification certificate to the Vehicle Management Office. After filling out and submitting the application form along with the required documents, the temporary license plates can be issued upon approval. Apply at the 4S Store With the implementation of the "streamline administration and delegate power" policy, temporary license plates can now be directly applied for at 4S stores. This is especially convenient if the Vehicle Management Office is far away or closed during holidays. Apply via the "Traffic Management 12123" App This app can handle various vehicle-related services, including the application for temporary license plates. Simply follow the instructions under "Business Processing" and select "Apply for New Car Temporary License Plates." Note: Temporary license plates also have an expiration date, which is clearly marked on the plates, typically 15 or 30 days. They must be used within the validity period. If the formal license plates have not been obtained by the expiration date, you must reapply, but the number of applications in the same region cannot exceed three times.
I was super excited when I just bought a new car and couldn't wait to take it for a spin even before getting the official license plate. However, the 4S store reminded me that while driving without a formal license plate is allowed, a temporary license plate is mandatory. Usually, the dealership will handle this for you, valid for 15 to 30 days, and it should be affixed to the front and rear windshields. That time, I drove to the DMV with the temporary plate without any issues, and the traffic police didn't stop me. But be careful: temporary plates aren't meant for long-distance travel or violations—getting caught could mean a 200-yuan fine plus points deducted. In short, after picking up your car, get the temporary plate first before driving; it's safer and hassle-free. Don't be like me, rushing out without one—getting into an accident or fined would be a huge loss. Also, remember to replace it with the official plate on time to avoid problems when it expires.
