Can I still drive on the day the temporary license plate expires?
2 Answers
Temporary license plates can still be used on the day they expire. A temporary license plate is a paper motor vehicle license plate that allows temporary road use, also known as a temporary moving license plate. It is a temporary vehicle movement certificate issued by the public security vehicle management department for newly purchased vehicles before official registration. Temporary license plates can be divided into: 1. Temporary license plates within administrative jurisdictions; 2. Temporary license plates across administrative jurisdictions; 3. Temporary license plates for testing purposes; 4. Temporary license plates for special-type motor vehicles. Conditions for applying for a temporary license plate: 1. Driving from the place of purchase to the place of use; 2. Vehicle transfer, with official license plates already paid for; 3. New vehicles in the local area that have not applied for official license plates and need to be driven to other places for modification; 4. Vehicles purchased locally that need to be driven to other places; 5. Vehicles that have not yet been officially registered and require temporary trial use.
Recently, I helped a friend with car-related matters and became quite familiar with temporary license plate expirations. Generally speaking, a temporary license plate remains valid until midnight on the expiration date, so driving at any time on that day is fine. However, once it passes midnight, the plate becomes invalid, and continuing to drive would be illegal, potentially resulting in a fine of 200 to 500 RMB or even penalty points. Temporary license plates are mainly used for new cars for a short period, typically a few weeks to a month. Once expired, you must promptly renew the temporary plate or switch to a permanent one. It’s best not to wait until the last minute—renewing at the DMV is simple, requiring just your ID and vehicle documents. Driving with an expired plate carries significant risks; in case of an accident, insurance may not cover it, leading to financial and personal losses. I’ve personally seen someone ignore an expired plate for a few days and get pulled over by the police, wasting time for nothing. Remember the expiration date on the plate and set a phone reminder a week in advance to handle it hassle-free.
