Can temporary license plates still be used after the official ones arrive?
4 Answers
No. After a new vehicle receives its official license plates, the temporary plates become invalid regardless of whether their expiration date has passed. Failure to promptly display the newly issued license plates may result in a 12-point deduction from the driver's license and a fine. The official plates should be displayed immediately upon receipt. Additional information: Temporary license plates have time and regional restrictions. They can be applied for at the local vehicle management office under any of the following circumstances: 1. When driving the vehicle from the place of purchase to the place of use, temporary plates must be obtained from the vehicle management office at the purchase location; 2. When transferring vehicle registration and the official plates have been surrendered, temporary plates must be obtained from the local vehicle management office to drive back to the original location; 3. When a new vehicle without official plates in the local area needs to be driven to another location for modifications, temporary plates must be obtained locally, and after modifications are completed, temporary plates must be obtained at the modification location to drive back to the original area; 4. When a vehicle purchased locally needs to be driven to another location, temporary plates must be obtained locally for the trip; the same applies in reverse. 5. When the vehicle registration is not yet finalized and a temporary trial is needed.
I remember encountering this issue when I first bought my car. Once the official license plate arrives, the temporary plate becomes invalid—it's a strict traffic regulation. Once when I returned from a business trip, I noticed the temporary plate was still on the car and hadn’t been removed. The next day, I was stopped by traffic police while parking, fined 200 yuan, and received penalty points because the temporary plate had expired. Temporary plates are just a transitional solution, allowing you to drive legally until the official plate arrives. But as soon as you receive the official plate, you must replace it immediately—otherwise, it’s considered unlicensed driving, which carries serious risks: not only fines if caught, but also potential insurance claim denials in case of an accident. In my car enthusiast group, everyone agrees it’s best to install the official plate the same day—no delays. Even small details like this matter in routine car maintenance to ensure safe and trouble-free driving.
When I bought my car, I was quite confused. It wasn't until I asked a friend that I learned temporary license plates become invalid immediately upon receiving the official ones and can no longer be used. This is because temporary plates are only valid until the official plates are delivered, designed by the DMV to prevent conflicts from dual plates. My neighbor, trying to be convenient last month, continued using the temporary plate and ended up being caught speeding, fined several hundred dollars, and had points deducted from their license—now full of regret. My advice: act immediately—remove the temporary plate for keepsake, promptly install the new one. The process isn't difficult; you can do it yourself or visit a repair shop. Additionally, it's beneficial to learn more basic car knowledge, like ensuring the license plate bolts are tight to avoid any wobble-related issues, making driving smoother and hassle-free.
As a seasoned highway driver, I must remind you: once you've received your official license plates, temporary plates definitely cannot be used anymore, otherwise it's illegal. The reason is simple - temporary plates are provisional permits that expire and become invalid as soon as new plates arrive. I witnessed a case where a friend delayed replacing them, got ticketed by traffic cameras, and had to deal with court proceedings - a real headache. My advice: handle this immediately. After installing new plates, check they're securely fastened and don't forget to remove all traces of old temporary plates. Also, regular maintenance of the plate area is crucial - wipe off dust, prevent rust, keep identification clearly visible. This enhances driving safety and avoids unnecessary disputes.
