Can a Temporary License Plate Be Used on Highways?
4 Answers
Temporary license plates can be used on highways. However, there are certain restrictions: there are two types of temporary license plates—one that only allows driving within the city (blue background with black characters and black borders) and another that permits driving nationwide (brown-yellow background with black characters and black borders). Precautions when using temporary license plates: 1. Install the temporary license plates correctly: There are two temporary plates—one should be affixed to the lower left or right corner of the front windshield without obstructing the driver's view, and the other should be placed on the lower left corner of the rear windshield inside the car. 2. Do not let the temporary license plate expire: If the temporary license plate expires and an accident occurs, the insurance company will not provide compensation. After purchasing a car, it is important to apply for a formal license plate as soon as possible.
There are two types of temporary license plates: blue background and brown-yellow background. The blue one is only allowed for driving within the city and absolutely cannot be used on highways. Last time when I helped a friend pick up a new car, the 4S store specifically emphasized this point. If you need to travel long distances, you must get the brown-yellow one, which clearly states 'cross-administrative jurisdiction' to be eligible for highway use. However, note that temporary plates are only valid for 15 days and must be affixed to the lower left corner of the front windshield and the lower left corner of the rear window, otherwise highway police can still issue fines. By the way, insurance is valid during the temporary plate period, but it's best to confirm in advance whether the policy covers temporary license plate information.
Whether a temporary license plate can be used on highways mainly depends on its color! I remember when I bought a car last year, the salesperson repeatedly emphasized: dark blue ones are only for local city driving, while the brown-yellow ones with QR codes are required for highways. The validity period is very short, up to 30 days at most, so be extra careful not to overlook the expiration date. It's recommended to laminate the temporary plate before departure and securely attach it to the front and rear windshields in a visible spot using static cling film. The worst scenario when driving on highways with a temporary plate is encountering rainy or foggy weather—once the windshield fogs up, the plate becomes completely illegible, and getting caught in such a situation would be truly unfair.
I just finished a cross-province highway trip using a temporary license plate. Important things must be said three times: You must use the yellow-background cross-province temporary plate! The blue one will get you pulled over and result in an immediate 12-point deduction. To apply for a temporary plate, you need to bring the vehicle invoice, original certificate of conformity, and compulsory insurance policy. The DMV can issue it in just ten minutes. On the highway, it's recommended to keep the navigation on the whole time, as some toll stations are slow to recognize temporary plates and can cause traffic jams behind you. Special reminder for new car owners: A temporary plate is not a get-out-of-jail-free card—speeding is still captured very clearly. On my way back, I got a ticket for exceeding the speed limit by 20%.
