Can a new car without temporary license plates but with insurance be driven on the road?
4 Answers
A new car must have license plates to be driven on the road; without temporary license plates, it cannot be driven. The following are the details about new cars without temporary license plates: 1. Before obtaining the official license plates: New cars can be driven on the road with temporary license plates. The "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" clearly stipulates that vehicles must display license plates as required when driven on the road, and failure to do so will result in penalties. 2. Temporary license plates must be applied for according to regulations: Before obtaining the official license plates, temporary license plates must be applied for as required to drive on the road. Temporary license plates must be used within their validity period, and using them beyond the validity period will result in penalties. New cars cannot use temporary license plates for more than 15 days, and the owner should promptly apply for official license plates from the vehicle management authority. After expiration, the vehicle may face impoundment, a fine of 200 yuan, and a deduction of 3 points from the driver's license.
As an experienced car enthusiast who has driven various new cars, I want to point out that it's a major misconception to think a new car can be driven without temporary license plates just because it's insured. Traffic laws mandate that all vehicles on the road must display license plates, and temporary plates are standard for new cars—driving without them is equivalent to unlicensed driving. I have a relative who bought a new car and, in the excitement, drove it without obtaining temporary plates, only to be stopped by traffic police, fined 500 yuan, and penalized with points. Even though insurance provides coverage, in the event of an accident, an unlicensed vehicle faces difficulties in claiming compensation because its legality can't be proven. My advice is to always have the 4S dealership handle the temporary plates when purchasing a car. These can usually be obtained at the vehicle management office with just the invoice and don’t take much time. If you’re in a hurry, you might try electronic temporary plates or temporary license plate services, but don’t rely on luck. Safety comes first—for your sake and others’, wait until the temporary plates are in place before driving. Don’t let a happy occasion turn into a hassle. That little effort is worth it!
From my experience of driving my kids to school, a new car without temporary plates and insurance should never be on the road—it's extremely unsafe. Vehicle license plates aren't just for identification; in case of an accident, they help authorities respond quickly. Without plates, determining liability becomes difficult, and your insurance might end up being useless. I recall a friend who rear-ended someone with an unregistered new car—they had to pay damages and got denied coverage. As a parent, I stress road rules: temporary plates act as provisional IDs, and insurance only covers damages if the vehicle is legal. I recommend waiting half a day to get temporary plates—dealerships or DMVs can handle it. If you're in a hurry, take a taxi or walk. Protect yourself and your family; don’t trade short-term convenience for long-term trouble. It reminds me of what a traffic safety lecture emphasized: safety is always the priority, and the risks of driving illegally far outweigh the minor inconvenience of waiting.
Hey buddy, driving a new car without temporary plates is a violation even if you have insurance! Last time I helped my neighbor pick up his car, he didn't have temporary plates and got fined heavily when he went for a joyride—traffic police don't accept insurance documents, license plates are mandatory. Insurance only comes into play when something happens, but driving without plates is illegal, resulting in points deduction and fines, and it might even affect getting official plates later. My advice is to get the temporary plates sorted at the dealership on the day of purchase—the process is quick, just show the invoice. If you're in a hurry, just call a driver service or take a taxi, and save the insurance for when you're officially driving. Don't be lazy, taking the risk isn't worth it. I get the excitement, but safety comes first.
