Can Temporary License Plates Be Used in Other Provinces?
2 Answers
Temporary license plates can be used in other provinces under two circumstances: 1. Temporary license plates with sky blue background, black characters, and black borders are limited to driving within the city and are referred to as local temporary license plates. These plates have significant restrictions and cannot be used outside the local area. 2. Temporary license plates with brown-yellow background, black characters, and black borders can be used for cross-city driving and are referred to as non-local temporary license plates. These plates can be used in other provinces and are allowed on highways. Temporary license plates are paper plates that permit temporary road use for motor vehicles, with a validity period generally not exceeding 30 days. Based on the type of plate, they can be categorized as temporary plates for administrative jurisdictions, cross-administrative jurisdiction temporary plates, test temporary plates, and special motor vehicle temporary plates.
As a beginner in the automotive world, I was initially confused about whether temporary license plates can be used across provinces. After consulting some car-savvy friends, I learned it depends on the plate type: Those marked with "local" or "within province only" are restricted to the issuing province—driving out-of-province violates regulations, risking fines or even vehicle impoundment by traffic police. However, plates labeled "inter-provincial" or "nationwide" permit cross-province travel without issues. Last year, I used such a plate to drive my new car from Guangdong to Hunan for a trip. The key is checking the fine print: validity typically lasts just 7-15 days, so avoid extended use leading to expiration. For long trips, carry the vehicle registration certificate and insurance documents—safety first to prevent complications.
