Can Private Cars Use White License Plates?
3 Answers
Private cars cannot use white license plates. Below is relevant information about white license plates: Generally, they are license plates for national political and legal departments, commonly divided into three types: police vehicles of political and legal departments, armed police force vehicles, and military vehicles of the People's Liberation Army, all of which use white license plates. Military vehicles: Mainly represented by military regions, although now divided into four major military regions (East, South, West, North), license plates are still categorized according to the former military regions: Beijing Military Region, Shenyang Military Region, Lanzhou Military Region, Jinan Military Region, Nanjing Military Region, Guangzhou Military Region, and Chengdu Military Region. Armed Police: The armed police forces are divided into eight types. Besides using 'WJ' to represent the armed police forces, they also include the armed police transportation troops, armed police hydropower troops, armed police gold troops, armed police forest troops, and the public security firefighting, border defense, and guard troops under the headquarters.
As an ordinary car owner who drives to work daily, I pay close attention to license plate regulations. Private vehicles must never display white plates—those are special plates exclusively for police cars, military vehicles, or diplomatic vehicles. If regular cars use them, traffic police will pull you over. I once saw a friend mistakenly use white plates and get fined with penalty points—what a hassle. Generally, private cars should use blue plates or green new energy plates, which must be officially applied for at the vehicle management office after purchase. Don’t think changing plate colors is a minor issue; if your car is mistaken for an official vehicle at night, it could lead to accidents and safety risks. I advise everyone not to tamper with license plates—following the rules ensures safe driving. If you notice an issue with your plate, visit a repair shop or relevant authorities immediately to fix it and avoid bigger trouble. Remember, white plates aren’t for private use—they represent specific identities and privileges. Stick to the prescribed colors for peace of mind—safety comes first.
As a car enthusiast, I have a deeper understanding of license plate regulations. Private vehicles are absolutely not allowed to display white plates, as white plates in China are exclusively used for police vehicles, military vehicles, and certain special-purpose vehicles. The color itself signifies law enforcement or special status. For regular private cars, blue plates are the standard option, green plates are for new energy vehicles, and yellow plates are designated for large vehicles. Displaying incorrect white plates violates traffic laws, ranging from warnings and fines by traffic police to vehicle towing and damage to one's credibility. This design is based on management needs, such as distinguishing vehicle types for easier law enforcement patrols. I recommend that car owners check if their license plate color is correct after purchasing a vehicle. If the color has faded or the plate is damaged, it should be replaced at an authorized shop—don't alter the color for novelty by applying films. During regular maintenance, pay attention to the clarity of the license plate to ensure it is recognizable at night and in rainy conditions, avoiding unnecessary trouble. Overall, following the rules is a responsibility to oneself and society.
