Can a new car be driven without a license plate within 15 days?
2 Answers
A new car cannot be driven without a license plate within 15 days. According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, the state implements a registration system for motor vehicles. Only after being registered with the traffic management department of the public security organ can a motor vehicle be driven on the road. For motor vehicles that have not yet been registered but need to be driven on the road temporarily, a temporary license plate must be obtained. Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses: 1. After a motor vehicle driver replaces a motor vehicle driving license, the original motor vehicle driving license continues to be used; 2. Driving a motor vehicle during the probation period does not comply with the regulations; 3. Driving a motor vehicle without pasting or hanging a probation sign or a special sign for disabled persons' motor vehicles as required; 4. Drivers holding a large passenger vehicle, tractor, or urban bus driving license who fail to report changes in information as required.
I'm a veteran driver with twenty years of experience. I used to think there was a grace period for new cars, but later found out the law is very strict. New cars must have temporary license plates to be driven on the road, and you can't drive without plates even within 15 days. When I picked up my first car, I skipped the plates for convenience and was immediately stopped by traffic police, fined two hundred, and got points deducted—I regretted it so much. It's even more dangerous safety-wise; uninsured unlicensed cars involved in accidents won't get insurance claims, and you'll be fully liable. I remember my neighbor Lao Wang scraped his new car on the second day, injured himself, and had to pay out of pocket, suffering heavy losses. My advice is to have the dealership handle the temporary plates or go to the DMV yourself right after buying the car—don't delay. Drive only after getting the plates to avoid trouble and risking others.
