Can Temporary License Plates Be Processed Across Cities?

[SanElliot]

Temporary license plates cannot be processed across cities. Precautions for new cars with temporary plates: 1. If a new car with a temporary license plate needs to be driven to another province, a 30-day cross-province temporary license plate must be obtained. Driving with a regular temporary plate in another city will still result in penalties; 2. Temporary license plates are also subject to tail number restriction rules, and driving on restricted days will incur fines. Conditions for applying for temporary plates: 1. When driving a newly purchased vehicle from the place of purchase to the place of use, a temporary license plate must be applied for at the local vehicle management office where the car was purchased; 2. When transferring vehicle registration and after surrendering the official license plates, a temporary license plate must be applied for at the local vehicle management office to drive back to the original location; 3. For new cars without official license plates in the local area that need to be driven to another location for modifications, a temporary license plate must be applied for locally. After modifications are completed, a temporary license plate must be obtained at the modification location to drive back to the original area.

[LaAdeline]

As an ordinary car owner, I once tried to apply for a temporary license plate across cities, only to hit a wall—it must be done at the local DMV where I reside because the plate information needs to be tied to local insurance. That time, I went to the neighboring city's DMV hoping to cut corners, but the staff outright refused to process it, forcing me to make a wasted trip back to my hometown to get it done. Temporary plates typically have a validity of only 5-15 days and are restricted to driving within the city; crossing city boundaries renders them invalid. If you plan to drive out of town, it's best to obtain a local temporary plate before hitting the road. Bring the new car invoice, ID card, and compulsory insurance slip to the counter—the process is quick, but don’t cut corners and risk violations. If you frequently travel between cities, consider getting a permanent license plate directly to save hassle, rather than dealing with temporary measures. In short, there’s no room for negotiation here—playing by the rules is the safest bet.

[Grace]

Let me share some insights from a policy perspective. The issuance of temporary license plates is regulated by national traffic laws and must be processed at the local vehicle management office within the same city—cross-city operations are not permitted. Each city has its own jurisdictional scope, involving license plate number allocations and insurance filings; cross-city handling would lead to management chaos and risks. For example, if your vehicle is registered in City A, the temporary plate is only valid in City A. To drive to City B, you must complete the procedures in City A beforehand. The regulations explicitly require localized processing to ensure uniformity and data accuracy. It's advisable for car owners to complete all formalities in their local city when purchasing the vehicle, rather than delaying until cross-city handling becomes urgent. The required materials are relatively simple—just prepare the compulsory traffic insurance documents—and the process is fairly efficient. Following this procedure helps avoid issues, such as fines for driving without a valid license plate.

[StKaden]

From a convenience perspective, applying for temporary license plates across cities is basically not feasible—the local DMV is the correct channel. I've experienced a similar situation: after getting a new car in a hurry, I rushed to another city only to find they wouldn't accept the application, forcing me to return to my original city to get it done. Temporary plates have a short validity period and are only suitable for temporary use within the city—don’t plan on using them for long-distance travel. Here’s a small tip: bring all the required documents like the invoice and insurance policy directly to the DMV counter, and you can get them in under 5 minutes. If you really need to travel across cities, it’s best to obtain temporary plates locally before hitting the road. If time is tight or the distance is far, you can ask a local friend to help with the process or call ahead to schedule expedited service. The key is not to risk driving without plates—safety first!