Can Temporary License Plates Enter Underground Parking Lots of Shopping Malls?
4 Answers
If the parking lot uses vehicle license plate recognition, entry is not permitted. Below are relevant details: Classification of underground parking lots in shopping malls: Those not using license plate recognition: Can enter the mall's parking lot, provided the following conditions are met—there are staff members present. Those using license plate recognition: Cannot enter the mall's parking lot, as most mall parking lots are unmanned and use automatic license plate recognition for entry. Temporary license plates cannot be recorded by the cameras, thus preventing entry. Important notes: Temporary plates must be correctly affixed to the front and rear windshields of the vehicle, with the entire plate visible. Pay attention to the validity period of the temporary plate, the permitted usage locations, and ensure timely renewal upon expiration. Vehicles lacking license plates are not permitted for use.
I remember last time I drove my new car with temporary plates into an underground mall parking lot, and it was no problem getting in. Most mall parking entrance systems accept temporary license plates because traffic laws stipulate that they are legally valid for normal road use and parking. However, be cautious—some older parking facilities might have poor license plate recognition, or security guards might ask a few extra questions. I recommend checking the mall’s app for parking rules or the notice board at the entrance before driving to avoid wasting time on a wasted trip. It’s also best to carry the car purchase invoice and temporary plate documents just in case you need to show them to the attendant for quick verification. In short, parking with temporary plates isn’t much different from using permanent ones, so feel free to use them.
Using a temporary license plate to drive into an underground shopping mall parking lot is definitely acceptable. I've done it several times with a new car to go shopping directly—temporary plates are designed precisely to let you park and drive normally anywhere. Most malls have compatible systems, and even if the automatic plate recognition temporarily fails, security guards usually manually let you through. I've never encountered major issues, at most a minute or two delay to explain. But for peace of mind, check the mall's official website or call customer service to confirm the rules beforehand to avoid awkward hold-ups at the entrance. Bring copies of your driver's license and temporary plate for inspection—this trick works wonders to smoothen the parking process.
When using temporary license plates on a new car, I took my child to the underground parking lot of a shopping mall, and we were generally allowed in without any issues. However, it's important to check for any special notices at the entrance in advance, consult the mall's APP, or ask the security guards to avoid being stuck and affecting the trip. Just bring necessary documents like the car purchase receipt. Nowadays, with advanced technology, most automatic recognition systems work fine, but it's annoying when the child gets hungry from waiting too long. Safety comes first, and smooth parking makes the trip more worry-free.
