Can Temporary License Plates Still Be Used After the Metal Plates Arrive?
2 Answers
Temporary license plates cannot be used after the metal plates arrive. Temporary plates are only for temporary use before the metal plates are manufactured, with a validity period of 15 days. Once the metal plates are issued, the temporary plates become invalid and can no longer be used. Therefore, to avoid penalties, the metal plates must be installed on the vehicle immediately upon arrival. Metal plates, also known as vehicle license plates, are typically mounted on the front and rear bumpers of the car, with some models having the rear plate attached to the trunk. The plates are primarily made of metal and serve as the vehicle's unique identifier, akin to an ID card. The license plate allows for the retrieval of registration details and the vehicle's region of origin. License plates usually consist of a combination of letters and numbers, totaling five characters.
I was so excited when I first got my new car. I used the temporary license plate for several weeks, driving around everywhere while waiting for the metal plate to be mailed to me. Then I wondered if I could continue using the temporary plate to save some trouble. Absolutely not! Because according to the law, once the official license plate is received, the temporary plate automatically becomes invalid. Using it on the road again can cause serious trouble. One of my neighbors was stopped by traffic police and fined 200 yuan directly, plus points deducted, just because they delayed replacing it. Even worse, in case of an accident, the insurance company might refuse to compensate due to the invalid plate. My advice is to handle it promptly: grab a screwdriver or wrench and install the metal plate yourself. Align it with the front of the car and tighten it up—it's very simple, just five minutes of work. Don't delay, safety first and it saves money too.
