Can Temporary License Plates Be Used to Drive to Other Provinces?
4 Answers
Temporary license plates are divided into two types. Among them, temporary license plates for administrative regions cannot be used to drive out of the province, but temporary license plates for cross-administrative regions can be used to drive out of the province. The main differences between the two types of temporary license plates are: 1. Temporary license plates for administrative regions (sky blue background with black characters and black borders): Vehicles with this type of temporary license plate are only allowed to drive within the administrative region and are not allowed to leave the province. The validity period of the temporary license plate is 15 days. 2. Temporary license plates for cross-administrative regions (brown-yellow background with black characters and black borders): Only vehicles with this type of temporary license plate can drive out of the province. The validity period of the temporary license plate is 30 days. Notes on temporary license plates: 1. Placement: Temporary license plates usually come in two pieces. One should be affixed to the lower left or right corner of the front windshield without obstructing the driver's view, and the other should be affixed to the lower left corner of the rear windshield inside the vehicle. 2. Usage requirements: Temporary license plates do not mean they can be used arbitrarily. Like regular license plates, temporary license plates are also subject to traffic laws.
Whether a temporary license plate can be used to drive to another province depends on its type. I often help friends with these procedures and know there are three types of temporary plates: local temporary plates can only be used within the city, provincial temporary plates are limited to the province, and only national temporary plates allow cross-province travel. If you have a national temporary plate with the words 'valid nationwide' on it, then driving to another province is completely fine. However, pay attention to the validity period, usually only 15 to 30 days, and you must replace it with a formal plate on time; otherwise, you'll face fines if it expires. Bring your vehicle license and insurance documents, and check the local DMV regulations just in case. I recommend calling the traffic police at your destination before departure to avoid having your car impounded on the road. Safety first—don’t risk driving on restricted roads. Temporary plates aren’t as noticeable as formal ones, making accident handling more complicated. Remember, only national temporary plates are safe for cross-province travel; using other types for interprovincial driving is a violation.
I once tried driving to another province using temporary license plates. Last year when I just bought my car and got the provincial temporary plates, a friend invited me on a road trip. After checking regulations, I realized they were only valid within the province. I didn't dare drive to the neighboring province until I switched to nationwide temporary plates - all thanks to the reminder from the DMV. The type of temporary plate is crucial: local stickers are only for city use, provincial versions are restricted to the province, and only nationwide ones allow inter-provincial travel. With short validity periods (usually 15-30 days), you must carry all documents. Don't try to save money by crossing provinces illegally - the fine (a few hundred yuan) is the least concern, as safety risks are high. Temporary plates are harder for cameras to recognize, making accident handling difficult. Applying for nationwide temporary plates requires extra documents like purchase proofs and insurance copies. I always advise new car owners to handle this two days in advance, not at the last minute.
Be cautious when using temporary license plates in other provinces. Only nationwide types are permitted, with short validity periods. Bring necessary documents for inspections. Confirm insurance coverage, as risks are high and accidents frequent.
