Can Temporary License Plates Be Used Across Provinces?
2 Answers
Temporary license plates can be used across provinces, provided they do not exceed the validity period. The vehicle owner must submit the following documents when applying for a temporary license plate: 1. Proof of identity of the vehicle owner; 2. Proof of compulsory traffic accident liability insurance for the vehicle; 3. Proof of the vehicle's factory inspection compliance or import documentation for imported vehicles; 4. Proof of the vehicle's origin; 5. A written application and proof of the vehicle's safety technical inspection compliance. The vehicle management office should review the submitted documents within one day of acceptance. For temporary driving within the administrative jurisdiction, a temporary license plate with a validity period not exceeding 15 days will be issued. For temporary driving across administrative jurisdictions, a temporary license plate with a validity period not exceeding 30 days will be issued.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I've personally experienced the pitfalls of temporary license plates. Last year, after buying a new car, I hastily obtained a temporary plate and rushed back to my hometown across provinces to visit relatives, only to be stopped and fined at a highway toll station, nearly having my car impounded. The police explained that most temporary plates are restricted to use within the issuing province and cannot cross provincial boundaries unless it's a special inter-provincial temporary plate. Since then, I always inquire about the type of plate when buying a car: in-province plates are valid for about 15 days, while inter-provincial ones require additional application but are rarely issued. Crossing provinces carries significant risks—if caught, a fine of a few hundred yuan is the least of your worries; having your trip ruined is far more troublesome. Now, I always remind friends and family to play it safe during the temporary plate period—just drive locally and wait until the official plate is issued before going on long trips. It's safer and hassle-free.
