
It can be driven on the road, but within 10-15 working days, the owner must go to the local vehicle management office to apply for a formal license plate. The following introduces the eligible applicants and scope for applying for temporary license plates, as well as the application procedures: Eligible Applicants and Scope for Applying for Temporary License Plates: When driving the vehicle from the place of purchase back to the place of use, a temporary license plate must be applied for at the vehicle management office in the place of purchase. If the vehicle is being transferred and the formal license plate has already been surrendered, a temporary license plate must be applied for at the local vehicle management office to drive the vehicle back to the original location. Application Procedures: The applicant must present a letter of introduction from their organization, proof of vehicle origin, certificate of compliance, and other relevant documents (except for the letter of introduction, which will be kept on file, all other documents will be returned to the applicant) to the vehicle management office. During the application, the applicant must specify the starting and ending locations of the vehicle's journey and the duration for which the temporary license plate will be used. After the administrator reviews the documents and inspects the vehicle, if everything is in order, the temporary license plate will be issued, along with the validity period and the designated starting and ending locations.

I recently bought a new car and drove it on the road with just a temporary license plate, which went quite smoothly. The temporary plate is a short-term driving permit stipulated by national regulations, typically allowing you to legally drive for 15-30 days while waiting for the formal license plate to be processed. As long as you properly affix the temporary plate in a conspicuous position on the front windshield and carry the vehicle purchase invoice, insurance policy, and ID card, you should have no issues during traffic police checks. It's important to note that temporary plates have a short validity period, and driving with an expired one may result in fines. In some major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, if you need to enter urban areas, out-of-town vehicles might require an additional pass, but ordinary out-of-town vehicles can drive directly without one. If you encounter a check, don't panic—just explain the situation. Overall, a temporary plate is sufficient, but be mindful not to delay getting the formal one.

As someone who frequently studies traffic regulations, I must say that new cars with only temporary license plates are completely allowed on the road. According to traffic laws, temporary plates are valid legal documents that permit short-term driving, including on city roads and highways. However, regional restrictions must be observed: blue temporary plates are valid nationwide, while green ones may be restricted to use within the province—don't drive beyond to avoid fines. Special passes are only required in specific scenarios like restricted zones, and new cars generally don't need additional permits when first hitting the road. I recommend owners check the traffic management app to understand local policies, such as avoiding peak hours on restricted days, and refrain from driving if the temporary plate expires. In short, with all preparations in place, you can drive with confidence.

Driving a new car with a temporary license plate is a normal practice. On the day I picked up my car, I drove it straight home without any additional permits. A temporary plate allows you to drive legally for a certain period—just make sure it's properly displayed and you carry the relevant documents to show if stopped by traffic police. Avoid driving beyond the validity period or designated areas to prevent fines or penalty points.


