
Temporary license plates can be used on urban elevated roads. According to relevant regulations, vehicles displaying a "Temporary Vehicle License Plate" have the same access rights as other vehicles of the same type. Temporary license plates have time restrictions, generally valid for 15 or 30 days. There are also location restrictions. If a vehicle is purchased locally but registered in another city, the temporary plate will specify the route and can only be used within the designated cities. If the owner resides locally and plans to register the vehicle in the same city, the temporary plate is considered a local temporary license plate, meaning it can only be used within the local city and the vehicle cannot travel outside the area. If a local temporary plate is used outside the designated city, it becomes invalid. If discovered by traffic police, the vehicle will be treated as unlicensed. Therefore, owners must register their vehicles at the DMV within the validity period specified on the temporary plate.

I just helped a friend with the issue of temporary license plates for a new car. Simply put, temporary license plates are allowed on elevated roads, but it depends on city regulations and local traffic rules. For example, in Shanghai, many vehicles with temporary plates are restricted during peak hours in the morning and afternoon, forcing them to take regular roads instead. This is because elevated roads have heavy traffic, and restrictions help ease congestion. If you've just bought a new car, I recommend checking the type of temporary plate: intra-city plates have limited access, while inter-city plates allow you to drive on highways and some elevated roads. When driving, it's best to check the local traffic police app or website for real-time rules to avoid fines or penalties. Safety first—new drivers especially should avoid taking risks on elevated roads during peak hours and wait until they're familiar with the vehicle before hitting the road.

As a young car enthusiast who loves driving, I've personally experienced using a temporary license plate on elevated roads. It's generally feasible, but don't take it lightly. I remember when I bought my new car last year, I used a temporary plate for a few days and got stopped once during Shanghai's elevated road rush hours—luckily, it was just a warning with no fine. Since then, I've learned to stay updated by following local traffic official accounts to know the restricted hours and routes. Temporary plates are divided into intra-city and inter-city types; the former is only for urban areas, while the latter allows highway travel. I advise new car owners to carefully check the remarks on their temporary plates, which specify the permitted driving range. Additionally, maintain a steady speed and avoid speeding—elevated roads have fast-moving traffic, and beginners can easily get nervous and cause accidents. These rules might seem bothersome, but they're actually in place to keep everyone safe.

As a parent of two children, I pay more attention to the impact of driving rules on families. Whether temporary license plates can be used on elevated roads depends on local policies. Generally, it is allowed, but many cities impose restrictions, such as prohibiting access during morning rush hours. I often educate my children to follow traffic rules and not to take shortcuts by forcing their way onto elevated roads with temporary plates, as inexperienced drivers are more prone to accidents. For safety, it's better to test vehicle performance on regular roads first and plan elevated road trips only after becoming familiar with driving. Regularly check official guidelines or consult 4S store staff to confirm details.


