Can I drive on the day the temporary license plate expires?

[GraceLynn]

You can drive on the day the temporary license plate expires, as long as it's before midnight. The paper motor vehicle license plate that permits temporary road use, also known as a temporary vehicle license plate, is issued by the vehicle management department of the public security bureau for newly purchased vehicles before formal registration. The validity period of a temporary license plate generally does not exceed thirty days. A license plate, commonly referred to as a vehicle plate, is a panel made of materials such as aluminum, sheet iron, plastic, or paper, displaying the vehicle's registration number, registration region, or other relevant information. It is mounted on the front and rear of the vehicle. License plates serve to number and register vehicle information, primarily enabling identification of the vehicle's region of registration and facilitating access to the owner's details and the vehicle's registration information through the plate number.

[AndersonAnn]

I know it's best not to drive on the day the temporary license plate expires. Once the temporary plate's validity period ends, it becomes invalid. If you drive with it, you're likely to be stopped by traffic police, fined, and possibly have points deducted. Most importantly, if you're involved in an accident that day, the insurance company may not cover the losses, leaving you fully responsible. I recommend going to the DMV to renew your new license plate one or two days in advance, not waiting until the last day. Temporary plates are usually only valid for about ten days or a month, after which you must either get a permanent plate or renew the temporary one. Some places have strict rules where it's technically valid until midnight on the expiration day, but it's not guaranteed and carries high risks. Safety should always come first when driving—don't take chances to avoid regret later. It's better to handle it properly in advance.

[JuliaLynn]

I once had a friend who thought it would be fine to drive out on the day his temporary license plate expired. Unfortunately, he got pulled over by the police for a random check, was fined 200 RMB, and received a warning. He later said it was a harsh lesson—driving with an expired temporary plate is considered unlicensed driving. If he had hit someone, all legal responsibility would have fallen on him. My advice is to check the renewal process at least a week in advance and complete the procedures at the DMV—don’t wait until the last minute. Temporary plates have tight deadlines, and many drivers assume it’s fine on the day itself, but the law is strict. If you absolutely need to use a car, consider carpooling or public transport as a safer and hassle-free alternative.

[Aniyah]

From what I understand, you absolutely cannot drive on the day your temporary license plate expires. The DMV system will automatically deactivate it, and driving with it may result in a ticket from traffic cameras. If an accident occurs, the insurance company will consider it expired and refuse to cover the damages, leaving you to bear the losses. Hurry up and renew your license plate without hesitation.