Can Temporary License Plates Still Be Used After Receiving Permanent Plates?

[DiArthur]

After receiving permanent license plates, temporary plates can no longer be used. Once the official plates are issued, temporary plates become invalid regardless of whether they have expired or not. The first character of a license plate represents the abbreviation of the province where the vehicle is registered, the second is an English letter indicating the prefecture-level city code, followed by a five-digit serial number. The functions of license plates include: 1. Numbering and registering vehicle information; 2. Identifying the region to which the vehicle belongs; 3. Tracing the owner and registration details of the vehicle through the plate number. Types of license plates: 1. White represents military or police plates; 2. Blue represents ordinary small vehicles with fewer than 7 seats; 3. Yellow represents ordinary large vehicles; 4. Black represents foreign enterprise plates.

[LeLuna]

When I bought my new car, I immediately installed the metal license plate as soon as it arrived. The temporary license plate was still within its validity period and unused, but the mechanic told me that I absolutely couldn't drive with the temporary plate anymore because once the metal plate becomes effective, the temporary license is voided and considered an invalid document. Thinking about it, it makes sense—the temporary plate is just a transitional measure to allow the new car to be on the road while waiting for the metal plate. I have a colleague who didn't believe this and continued using the temporary plate for a long-distance trip even after receiving the metal plate. He was stopped and fined 200 yuan plus penalty points, which was not worth it. I recommend installing the metal plate as soon as it arrives—don’t be lazy or afraid of the hassle, or you might end up with fines or accidents, which would be even more costly.

[CarmenFitz]

According to traffic regulations, the temporary license plate becomes invalid immediately after the metal plate is issued. This means you must install and use the metal plate right away, as continuing to use the temporary plate constitutes a violation, which may result in a fine of 150-200 yuan or penalty points. The purpose of the temporary plate is to allow new cars to legally drive on the road without a license plate temporarily. Once the official plate is in place, the transition period ends. Having driven for many years, I know some drivers try to cut corners, thinking the temporary plate is still valid. However, traffic police can check the system to see the status of the metal plate and issuing tickets on the spot is quite common. This is not just about following the rules but also about avoiding issues during accidents or inspections.

[FelixAnn]

When I first bought my car, I was also curious about whether the temporary license plate could still be used after the metal one arrived. I asked a friend at the DMV, and the answer was absolutely not. Once you receive the metal license plate, it must be installed on the car immediately, and the temporary plate automatically becomes invalid. I remember the temporary plate was valid for a week when I picked up the car, but the metal plate arrived on the third day, so I replaced it right away. Driving with an invalid license is like driving without a plate—getting caught would be a big hassle. For new drivers, I recommend paying attention to this point—don’t gamble with luck. Safety and obeying the law are what matter most.

[DeColin]

Once you receive the metal license plate, stop using the temporary one immediately—I learned this the hard way. Once, I forgot to replace it in time when my temporary plate still had two days left. I took a chance and drove a short distance, only to be pulled over by traffic police who issued a fine and a warning on the spot. Temporary plates are meant for emergencies while waiting for the metal one. Once the official plate is installed, the temporary one becomes invalid. This is crucial for road safety—in case of an accident or when vehicle details need verification, the metal plate provides more reliable information. After this lesson, I always install the plate right away—it saves hassle and ensures peace of mind.

[LeCollin]

Driving experience tells me that temporary license plates should be discarded once the permanent ones arrive. For example, after picking up a new car, temporary plates give you the freedom to drive for the first few days, but they must be replaced as soon as the permanent plates arrive. I once encountered a situation where the permanent plates arrived before the temporary ones expired, so I installed them immediately and hit the road; otherwise, like a friend of mine, continuing to use the temporary plates resulted in a ticket, which was not worth the trouble. Temporary documents always have limitations, while official license plates are durable and safe, ensuring worry-free travel every time.