Can a new car with temporary license plates but no vehicle registration certificate be driven on the road?
4 Answers
A new car with temporary license plates but no vehicle registration certificate cannot be driven on the road. The following are specific explanations for driving a vehicle without a registration certificate: 1. Vehicle Registration Certificate: The registration certificate is equivalent to the vehicle's ID card, containing information such as the license plate number, owner's name, engine number, and annual inspection date. Without a registration certificate, the motor vehicle cannot be driven on the road. 2. Penalty Regulations: According to regulations, driving on the road requires carrying the vehicle registration certificate. If the registration certificate is not available, the vehicle cannot be driven on the road. If driven without it, the driver will be fined between 20 and 200 yuan, deducted 1 point, and the motor vehicle will be temporarily impounded until the registration certificate is provided.
I just got a new car recently, and it had a temporary license plate when I picked it up from the 4S dealership. The sales guy said it was okay to drive it to the DMV to complete the paperwork. That's exactly what I did—I drove it several times for short trips without any issues. Just remember, temporary plates have a short validity period, usually around 15 days, and driving with an expired one can easily get you pulled over. The vehicle registration certificate is like the car's ID—without it, you might face trouble if the police stop you. I always carried the purchase invoice and my ID to handle any checks. It's best not to drive long distances or on remote roads during this period, as the risks are higher if something goes wrong. Getting the permanent registration done right after buying the car saves a lot of hassle—don’t wait until the temporary plate expires. I once saw a friend get fined 500 yuan for that. Looking back now, driving that new car around was both thrilling and a bit nerve-wracking—just stay excited but cautious.
As a newbie, I was super nervous about buying a car, afraid that driving without a vehicle license would be illegal. The salesperson explained that temporary license plates are actually a transitional solution for new cars, allowing legal driving to the DMV or repair shops without affecting short daily trips. Once when I went to get insurance without all the documents, the police checked my temp plate and said it was fine but advised me to complete the paperwork ASAP. Missing the vehicle license risks impoundment during checks, so I hurried to finalize everything within the deadline to avoid fines or delays. My advice: plan your route post-purchase, avoid highways initially, and carry essential documents for random checks. Overall, temp plates are a handy helper to keep new cars moving smoothly.
Anyone with a basic understanding of the law knows that temporary license plates are state-approved provisional permits, allowing new cars to hit the road without waiting for formal registration. However, regulations require carrying essential documents like ID and purchase contracts—driving without registration papers increases risks during checks. Once, I passed a police checkpoint, showed my temp plate, and was let go, though the officer stressed that both plates and registration are mandatory. Always check that your temp plate hasn’t exceeded its 15-day validity before driving, or you risk fines and insurance complications. The best move? Secure permanent registration ASAP—safe and compliant driving starts there.
