Can Temporary License Plates Be Used After Receiving Metal Plates?
4 Answers
After receiving the metal license plates, temporary license plates cannot be used, even if they have not yet expired. Temporary license plates are paper license plates issued by traffic management authorities to vehicle owners, permitting temporary road use before the official plates are issued. Once the official plates are obtained, they must be promptly displayed; otherwise, if discovered by law enforcement, the owner may face fines and a 12-point penalty. Below are specific details about temporary license plates: 1. Validity Period: Temporary license plates are categorized into three validity periods—15 days, 30 days, and 90 days—depending on the type. Vehicles requiring temporary operation within the same administrative jurisdiction are issued temporary plates valid for no more than 15 days. Those needing to operate across administrative jurisdictions receive temporary plates valid for no more than 30 days. Vehicles undergoing research, prototype testing, etc., are issued temporary plates valid for 90 days. 2. Placement: Generally, both temporary plates must be affixed to the vehicle. One should be placed in the upper right corner of the interior windshield without obstructing the driver's view or being covered by insurance stickers. The other should be placed in the upper left corner of the rear windshield. For vehicles with installation constraints, only one temporary plate is required, placed in the lower left or right corner of the front windshield.
I just bought a new car recently, and the temporary license plate hadn't expired yet when the permanent metal plate arrived. At first, I wondered if I could still drive with the temporary plate. After asking the 4S store, I learned that if the permanent plate is issued while the temporary plate is still valid, you can no longer use the temporary one. You must immediately switch to the permanent plate, otherwise, you could be stopped by traffic police for illegal driving, which may result in fines or penalty points. It's like renting a temporary place to stay—once you get the new key, you must use it to open the door. As soon as the permanent plate arrives, you should quickly attach it to the rear window of the car—don’t be lazy. Regularly check your license plate to avoid trouble, unlike some people who cut corners and end up regretting it after being fined. After switching to the permanent plate, I felt much more at ease, and my driving records remained normal—safety comes first. The 4S store usually reminds you about this when buying a car, but you should also stay vigilant yourself.
After being in this industry for a long time, I've seen many car owners continue to drive with temporary license plates even after receiving their metal plates, only to be pulled over by traffic police and fined. The issuance of metal plates signifies official validity, and temporary plates automatically become invalid. Driving with them afterward counts as unlicensed driving, which can lead to severe penalties like point deductions without question. It's best to install the new plates immediately without delay. Check the traffic regulations—temporary plates are just a transitional protection period, usually valid for 15 to 30 days, and must be returned once metal plates are issued. Safe driving is no trivial matter. As experienced drivers say, don’t be careless with license plate issues to avoid affecting insurance and other matters. Simply put, switch to metal plates promptly.
Once the metal license plate is issued, the temporary plate becomes invalid and cannot be used. Temporary plates are only valid while waiting for the metal plate; they must be replaced as soon as the metal plate arrives. Remember to install the metal plate promptly to avoid fines for non-compliance.
