Can Beijing Temporary License Plates Be Used Outside the City?
2 Answers
It depends on the situation. If you have obtained a temporary license plate with a brown-yellow background, black text, and black borders for out-of-town use, then you can drive outside Beijing. Here is more information about temporary license plates: Introduction: A temporary license plate is a paper license plate that allows a motor vehicle to temporarily drive on the road, also known as a temporary driving license plate. It is a temporary vehicle driving certificate issued by the vehicle management department of the public security bureau before a newly purchased vehicle is officially registered. Validity Period: The validity period of a temporary license plate generally does not exceed thirty days. Classification: There are four types: temporary license plates for administrative districts, temporary license plates for cross-administrative districts, temporary license plates for testing purposes, and temporary license plates for special types of motor vehicles.
As a driver with over 20 years of experience, I strongly advise against driving Beijing temporary license plates outside the city. These plates are designed strictly for temporary use within Beijing, such as when you've just bought a new car and haven't registered it yet. I've checked with the vehicle management office - the temporary plates clearly state 'For use within Beijing city limits only'. If caught driving beyond Beijing borders, especially on highways, penalties start from a 500 RMB fine at minimum, could lead to vehicle impoundment, and might even affect insurance claims. A friend got caught last year when driving to Tianjin with temporary plates - got fined, penalty points, and ruined their trip. Remember these temporary plates are valid for maximum 15 days. If time is tight, prioritize getting formal plates. For out-of-city trips, consider parking in Beijing and taking high-speed rail instead - safer and hassle-free.
