Can Temporary License Plates Be Used for Inter-City Travel?
2 Answers
Temporary license plates can be used for inter-city travel as long as they are issued for cross-administrative jurisdiction purposes. Vehicle owners need to inform the vehicle management office during the application process that they intend to travel across cities. Temporary plates for within administrative jurisdictions typically have a blue background, while those for cross-administrative jurisdictions have a yellow background. Temporary license plates, also known as temporary vehicle movement permits, are paper-based plates issued by the public security vehicle management department for newly purchased vehicles before formal registration. There are four types of temporary plates: temporary plates for within administrative jurisdictions, temporary plates for cross-administrative jurisdictions, temporary plates for testing purposes, and temporary plates for special-type motor vehicles.
I also had this confusion when I first bought my car. There are two types of temporary license plates: one is the local temporary plate, which can only be used within the city; the other is the national temporary plate, which allows driving across provinces and cities. Back then, I applied for a local temporary plate, thinking I could drive anywhere, but when I drove to a neighboring city for a trip, I was stopped by traffic police. They said I violated the regulations and fined me 200 yuan. Later, I realized that local temporary plates have strict restrictions, while national temporary plates have a longer validity period, usually around 10 days, making them suitable for long-distance travel. When applying for a temporary plate, you need to inform the vehicle management office of your travel plans to choose the correct type. Also, remember to place the plate in the correct position—the lower right corner of the front windshield—otherwise, you might still be checked. In short, if you plan to travel across cities, make sure to apply for a national temporary plate; otherwise, the risks are quite high.
