Can Temporary License Plates Be Used Across Restricted Zones?

[MacLilah]

Temporary license plates are restricted to designated zones and cannot be used across zones. New vehicles using temporary plates must not exceed 15 days, and owners should promptly apply for official license plates from the vehicle management authority. Introduction to Temporary License Plates: Automobile temporary license plates refer to provisional vehicle movement permits issued by the public security vehicle management department before formal registration due to pending procedures. Penalties for Using Non-Cross-Zone Temporary Plates Beyond Designated Areas: There are two types of temporary plates: one is restricted to the local jurisdiction, while the other allows inter-provincial travel. Using blue-background temporary plates beyond designated zones may result in vehicle impoundment, fines, and a 12-point deduction. Brown temporary plates, however, permit cross-zone travel.

[SanGavin]

I just dealt with a similar issue last week where a fellow car enthusiast almost got penalized 12 points for crossing zones. Temporary license plates come in two types: one for local use only and another for nationwide driving. You need to check which type you’ve got. If the plate specifies a particular area, like only valid in Qingdao, Shandong, driving it to Jinan would be a violation. Traffic police consider this as driving without proper plates, resulting in an immediate 12-point deduction plus a 200-yuan fine. Worse, insurance companies might deny claims in case of an accident. The most frustrating part is that many 4S shops, to save hassle, only issue local plates. If you plan a long trip, you must request a nationwide plate in advance—otherwise, getting pulled over on the highway is a real headache.

[DiJordan]

Temporary license plates crossing regions depends on the situation, mainly on the driving range specified on the back of your plate. Last year, my neighbor bought a car from a 4S dealership and got a temporary plate marked ‘Limited to driving within Jiangsu Province.’ He drove to Zhejiang for the weekend and was stopped and fined by traffic police at the provincial border toll station. Later, he learned that temporary plates are divided into two types: local temporary plates and cross-regional temporary plates. Local temporary plates are only valid within the region, while cross-regional plates allow nationwide driving. If you plan to leave your local area, remember to apply for a cross-regional plate in advance at the vehicle management office, bringing your car purchase invoice, ID card, and compulsory traffic insurance policy. Also, regardless of the type of temporary plate, don’t exceed its validity period—expired plates count as unlicensed driving if caught. I’ve seen someone’s car impounded for this reason.

[OAna]

The day before yesterday, I accompanied a friend to pick up a new car, and the 4S dealership directly provided a local temporary license plate with a blue background. The salesperson emphasized that this type of plate absolutely cannot be used across cities and is only valid for driving within the registered city during its validity period. I specifically asked about cross-region usage, and the salesperson explained that temporary plates are divided into two types based on needs: local plates with blue background and black characters are restricted to regional driving, while inter-provincial plates with brown-yellow background and black characters allow nationwide travel. My friend was in a hurry to return to their hometown in a neighboring city, so they went to the vehicle management office the same day and spent ten yuan to switch to an inter-provincial temporary plate. So the key is to check which type you have—if the temporary plate specifies a restricted area, crossing regions would be a violation. It's advisable to double-check before leaving the city; it's better to make an extra trip to the vehicle management office than to take the risk.