Can I apply for a temporary license plate on weekends?
2 Answers
Weekends are not available for applying for temporary license plates. Vehicle management offices are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays, so registration procedures can only be processed during regular working hours from Monday to Friday. According to Article 46 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations": For ordinary consumers purchasing new vehicles that need to travel temporarily within the administrative jurisdiction, temporary license plates with a validity period not exceeding 15 days will be issued; for those needing to travel temporarily across administrative jurisdictions, temporary license plates with a validity period not exceeding 30 days will be issued. If the motor vehicle owner needs to apply for temporary license plates multiple times, the vehicle management office shall not issue temporary license plates more than three times. To apply for a temporary license plate, the applicant needs to provide a company introduction letter, vehicle origin certificate, qualification certificate, and other relevant documents (except for the introduction letter which will be archived, the rest will be returned to the applicant) to the vehicle management office. During the application, the starting and ending locations of the vehicle's travel and the duration of using the temporary license plate should be specified. After review by the management personnel and inspection of the vehicle, the temporary license plate will be issued, with the validity period and travel locations signed and confirmed.
Recently, I've been wondering if I can get a temporary license plate on weekends after buying a car, because I'm too busy on weekdays to spare time. Turns out, most vehicle management offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, as staff need rest and system maintenance. I'm usually exhausted from work and really don't have time to run errands. It's recommended to take a short leave from Monday to Friday to get it done. Temporary plates usually have a very short validity period, and new cars must be road-ready as soon as possible to avoid fines. Also, policies vary by region. For example, some larger vehicle management offices in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are partially open on weekends, but it's best to call ahead to avoid a wasted trip. The key is to bring all required documents like ID, car certificate, and insurance policy to get everything done in one go, saving time and hassle. Buying a car is a happy event—don't let temporary plates turn into a hassle and delay the joy of driving your new car.
