Can I directly get a formal license plate after the temporary one expires?
2 Answers
You can directly get a formal license plate after the temporary one expires, but you cannot drive with an expired temporary plate. You may continue to apply for a temporary plate or use another vehicle or tow truck to get the formal license plate. A new car cannot use a temporary plate for more than 15 days, and you should promptly apply for a formal license plate from the vehicle management authority. Each vehicle can only be issued 3 temporary plates, with a total duration not exceeding 45 days. Once the three application opportunities are used up, you can only wait for the formal license plate to be issued. The main purpose of a license plate is to identify the vehicle's region of registration, and it can also be used to trace the vehicle's owner and registration information.
When I first got my new car, I was also curious whether I could directly switch to a formal license plate after the temporary one expired. My experience told me it's absolutely not possible. Once the temporary plate expires, it becomes invalid. The vehicle management office requires you to go through the new car registration process again; otherwise, driving on the road is considered unlicensed driving, and you could be fined and penalized by traffic police at any time. A friend of mine took a chance and drove with an expired temporary plate, only to be fined 200 yuan and waste a lot of time. The right approach is to schedule an appointment with the vehicle management office before the temporary plate expires. Bring documents like the car purchase invoice, vehicle certification, ID card, and compulsory insurance policy, fill out the forms on-site, and apply for a formal license plate—it takes about half an hour in total. Don’t try to cut corners like I did and end up in trouble. It’s best to set a phone reminder to avoid letting the temporary plate expire. Safety comes first—no need to worry and ruin your driving mood.
