Can a newly purchased car with temporary license plates drive on highways?
3 Answers
Since temporary license plates are the only legal permit for driving before the official plates are issued, as long as the car is equipped with temporary plates, it can drive normally on both highways and local roads. However, it's important to note that temporary plates usually come with regional restrictions, and the car cannot be driven beyond the designated area; otherwise, heavy penalties may apply if caught. Below are the relevant details: 1. Passing through toll stations with temporary plates: When entering a highway toll station, simply use the manual lane to take a card (or an automatic card dispenser). Upon exiting the highway, return the card to the staff and pay the fee. The toll card contains an electronic chip that calculates the time, distance, and toll rate for the highway journey. 2. Can temporary plates be used in other regions? Only the specific "cross-administrative district temporary license plates" are allowed for inter-province travel. Temporary plates have time and area limitations. For regular car owners, temporary plates can be divided into the following two categories: (1) Administrative district temporary plates (sky blue background with black characters and black borders), also known as city temporary plates. Vehicles with these plates are only permitted to drive within the designated administrative district and are not allowed to leave the province. The validity period is 15 days. (2) Cross-administrative district temporary plates (brown-yellow background with black characters and black borders), also known as national temporary plates. Only vehicles with these plates are allowed to travel across provinces. The validity period is 30 days.
I used temporary license plates on the highway the very day I picked up my new car, and my personal experience tells me it's no problem. As long as the temporary plates are still valid, usually for about 15 days, just stick them properly on the lower right corner of the front windshield and the lower left corner of the rear windshield. I remember the police occasionally do random checks, so always carry the vehicle purchase certificate and temporary driving permit with you. Driving on the highway was smooth, but don’t go too fast with a new car—keep it under 90km/h until the break-in period is over. Also, rules may vary by location; for example, some cities issue temporary plates that are valid nationwide, so it’s best to check local traffic regulations to avoid surprises. Safe driving is the priority—avoid night trips. In short, this isn’t a big issue, so feel free to take your new car for a spin.
Having driven for decades, I'm quite familiar with the use of temporary license plates. It's completely feasible to drive a newly purchased car on the highway with temporary plates. The key is to ensure the plates are within their validity period, typically 15 days from issuance. Highways are not restricted zones; as long as your documents are complete and the plates are properly displayed, driving is legal. However, I must remind you to check the plate's expiration date to avoid driving with expired ones. Also, since the engine of a new car is in its break-in period, avoid aggressive acceleration on the highway. From experience, it's best to carry all necessary documents for inspection to prevent unnecessary trouble. Pay extra attention to the weather; fog can significantly reduce visibility on highways, so new drivers should be particularly cautious. This way, your drive will be both safe and hassle-free, allowing you to enjoy the experience with peace of mind.
