Can a Temporary License Plate Be Used to Drive to Another Province?
2 Answers
Only cross-jurisdictional temporary plates are permitted for inter-provincial travel. When applying for temporary plates, it is essential to select the appropriate type based on your specific needs. Temporary license plates can be categorized into the following two types: 1. Temporary Plates for Administrative Jurisdictions (Sky blue background with black characters and black borders): Also known as urban temporary plates, vehicles with these plates are only allowed to operate within the issuing jurisdiction and are prohibited from leaving the province. The validity period for these plates is 15 days. 2. Temporary Plates for Cross-Administrative Jurisdictions (Brown-yellow background with black characters and black borders): Also referred to as national temporary plates, only vehicles with these plates are permitted to travel across provinces. The validity period for these plates is 30 days. Penalties for Using the Wrong Temporary Plates for Inter-Provincial Travel: According to the relevant provisions of the "Road Traffic Safety Law," driving a motor vehicle on the road without displaying the legally required license plate constitutes a violation. If caught, the traffic management authorities of the public security organ will impound the vehicle and require the driver to provide the appropriate license. In accordance with Article 90, the driver will be fined 200 yuan and receive 12 penalty points.
Last time I bought a new car and got a temporary license plate. The salesperson said it would be fine to drive to a neighboring province, but my friend was fined and had points deducted by the traffic police when driving out of town because the temporary plate was restricted to the home province. Temporary plates can't be used to drive across provinces arbitrarily; it depends on whether the plate specifies the valid area. If it's a plate restricted to the city, driving to another province is absolutely not allowed; if it's a nationwide plate, that's a different story. It's best to check the plate details or ask the vehicle management office before setting off, otherwise being checked on the road can be troublesome, and insurance may not cover long-distance accidents. For safety, I always advise new car owners to get the official license plate before going on long trips.
