Can a temporary license plate be reapplied if it was issued incorrectly?
3 Answers
Temporary license plates can be reapplied if they were issued incorrectly. Here are the relevant details about temporary license plates: Motor Vehicle License Plate: A paper license plate that permits temporary road use of a motor vehicle, also known as a temporary driving license plate. It is issued by the vehicle management department of the public security bureau for newly purchased vehicles before official registration. Validity Period: Generally, the validity period does not exceed 30 days. For out-of-town temporary plates, the validity period typically ranges from 3 to 15 days. However, this does not mean a 15-day plate can be directly issued. The validity period of a temporary license plate depends on the distance between the vehicle registration location and Beijing. For example, if a car is purchased in Beijing and driven back to Tibet for registration—an extreme case—a 15-day temporary license plate is usually issued. For nearby regions like Hebei and Tianjin, out-of-town temporary plates are usually valid for only 1-2 days. Even for southern cities like Guangdong and Shanghai, the maximum validity period for out-of-town temporary plates is typically around 3-7 days.
Oh, this question is right up my alley! Just last week, I helped a buddy deal with the exact same issue. If your temporary license plate is printed incorrectly, absolutely don't try to use it as-is. The DMV has made it clear that incorrect temporary plates are not allowed on the road—it counts as driving without a license! Your best bet is to head straight to the DMV window where you originally applied, bringing all the necessary materials on the same day—your original ID, the car purchase invoice, the compulsory traffic insurance policy, and that misprinted temporary plate. The staff will verify your original documents, and as long as the vehicle information is accurate, you can fill out a new application form right there and get a replacement on the spot. Make sure to double-check the new plate number and its validity period—this time, don’t mess up the engine number. Also, a heads-up: there’s a 10-yuan processing fee for the reissuance.
Based on my experience of buying three cars last year, a wrongly issued temporary license plate can definitely be reissued. However, timing is crucial: it's generally recommended to handle it at least three days before the incorrect temporary plate expires to avoid being unable to drive due to an expired plate. Last time, the sales consultant filled in the wrong car model, so I directly contacted the after-sales specialist at the 4S dealership. They went to the DMV with the company seal and a client authorization letter to handle it on my behalf. The key is to ensure the original QR code on the temporary plate remains clear and scannable, as the DMV system needs to retrieve the original record for corrections. If you're handling it yourself, remember to go early to queue and avoid peak hours like Mondays when title transfers are busiest.
