Can temporary license plates be used on highways?
4 Answers
Temporary license plates can be used on highways. As long as they are within the validity period, they allow driving in all areas. However, relevant documents such as invoices, certificates of conformity, and proof of insurance purchase must be carried. Temporary license plates are paper motor vehicle license plates that permit temporary road use of a motor vehicle, also known as temporary driving license plates. They are temporary vehicle driving permits issued by the vehicle management department of the public security authorities for newly purchased vehicles before official registration. The use and regulation of temporary license plates are the same as those of regular license plates. It is not the case that temporary license plates are exempt from penalties. If temporary license plates are not displayed correctly, expired temporary license plates are used, or any traffic law is violated, fines and penalties will still be imposed.
Last time when I accompanied my friend to pick up the new car, the salesperson specifically reminded us that there are two types of temporary license plates: the blue background with black characters can only be used within the city, while the yellow background with black characters is required for highway driving. Remember to apply for the cross-district temporary license plate, which is valid for about 15 to 30 days. We drove on the highway with this type of temporary plate, covering over 600 kilometers, and had no issues when checked by traffic police along the way. The key is to affix the temporary plates on the lower right corner of the front windshield and the lower left corner of the rear windshield, with the numbers clearly visible. However, be careful not to exceed the validity period. My neighbor was checked two days after expiration last year, resulting in 12 points deducted and a fine of 200 yuan, which was really not worth it.
As someone who frequently helps clients obtain temporary license plates, I've noticed many people are confused about this. Simply put: as long as your temporary plate is of the 'cross-administrative jurisdiction' type, it's perfectly legal for highway use. These yellow temporary plates are valid nationwide, with vehicle management offices typically charging a 5-yuan production fee. However, three key points require special attention: first, the temporary plate must be fully affixed and not casually placed on the dashboard; second, traffic regulations only permit travel along designated routes; third, insurance coverage must be simultaneously effective. Last week, a client attempted a long-distance trip with an urban temporary plate and was turned back at the highway entrance, wasting half a day.
Last month, I just completed a self-drive round trip to Hainan using temporary license plates. The key is to check the color of the temporary plates: blue ones are limited to the local city, while yellow ones allow for inter-provincial travel. When applying at the DMV, you need to bring the car purchase invoice, compulsory traffic insurance policy, and ID card. When driving on the highway, remember to affix both temporary plates, and use the manual lane when encountering ETC. On the return trip, I noticed the temporary plates had only five days left before expiration, so I quickly checked the nearby DMV locations at a service area. It's recommended to check the status of your temporary plates using the Traffic Management 12123 app before long-distance trips, as it's more reliable than paper records.
