Can Temporary License Plates Be Used in Other Regions?

[LouisFitz]

Temporary license plates cannot be used in other regions. The regulations for temporary license plates are as follows: 1. Usage Period: Temporary license plates have a validity period, with a maximum of 30 days, and for new cars, it cannot exceed 15 days. It is mandatory to apply for formal license plates from the vehicle management authority within the validity period. 2. In addition to the time limit, temporary license plates also have regional restrictions. If it is a local temporary license plate, it can only be used within the local region. 3. Temporary license plates usually come in two pieces, with functions similar to formal license plates, but the placement differs. One temporary license plate must be placed at the lower left or right corner of the front windshield, and the other must be placed at the lower left corner of the rear windshield.

[DonovanRose]

Back when I just picked up my new car and was using temporary plates for a long-distance trip, I made a special trip to the DMV to clarify: the blue-background temporary plates with white characters can be used nationwide—just remember to check the handwritten expiration date on the back. The yellow-background plates with black characters are only valid within the city, and getting stopped on the highway would be a hassle. However, temporary plates must be firmly affixed with adhesive to the lower-left and lower-right corners of the front windshield, or they might curl up and get you fined. When driving out of province, I carried the original invoice and compulsory insurance documents, and was once checked for my papers at a rest area on the Anhui expressway. The farthest I drove was from Hangzhou to Chengdu, making sure to return to my local area to get permanent plates three days before the temporary ones expired.

[OJace]

Last year, I helped my cousin pick up his car and drive it back to our hometown, but we ran into trouble: the 4S store issued a temporary license plate for the local jurisdiction, and we were fined 200 yuan at the highway exit for crossing provincial borders. Later, I learned that cross-regional temporary plates are blue with black characters and a serial number, valid for up to 30 days. Incorrect placement of the temporary plate can also result in penalty points. A friend of mine placed it on the inside of the rear window, making it invisible to traffic cameras, and was treated as driving without a license plate. Nowadays, mobile navigation apps can set up temporary plate warnings to avoid restricted areas in advance. Before returning, it's best to call 12345 to check the temporary plate requirements of the provinces you'll pass through.