Can Test Vehicles Be Normally Licensed?
3 Answers
Purchased vehicles can be licensed as long as they have a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and proper documentation. Below are the considerations for licensing: Prepare a temporary license plate: You can request one from the car dealer or purchase one to present in case of traffic police checks. However, be sure to note the validity period of the temporary plate, as using an expired one may lead to insurance claims being denied. Purchase compulsory traffic insurance: Before the new car is licensed, you can buy compulsory traffic insurance, third-party liability insurance, and major insurance items like vehicle damage insurance by registering the VIN. Required documents: Original and photocopy of the vehicle certificate, original purchase invoice (three copies in total), owner's ID, and insurance policy. Visit the local vehicle management office for vehicle inspection, payment of vehicle purchase tax, number plate selection, and processing of the vehicle license.
I've been into cars for many years. Test vehicles are essentially the beta versions used by manufacturers before mass production, somewhat like internal testing versions of smartphones. Typically, test vehicles cannot be officially registered because registration requires a complete set of strict procedures: the government mandates that all vehicles must pass official tests like safety crash tests and emission standards. Test vehicles often haven't completed these certifications and may not even obtain basic vehicle documents. I remember a friend who bought a test vehicle cheaply, only to have it rejected by the DMV because it wasn't registered and couldn't even be processed for registration. These vehicles can only be driven within internal testing grounds. Otherwise, driving them on public roads could lead to major issues, such as brake failure or exceeding emission limits. So, don't think about getting a bargain—just stick to buying regular, properly certified vehicles.
As someone who frequently deals with 4S stores, I always feel that licensing test vehicles is quite risky. Test vehicles are cars in the development stage, used by manufacturers for trial runs and adjustments, but they haven't undergone complete quality inspections, such as crash resistance or exhaust emission standards. Licensing requires certificates like the vehicle's factory qualification certificate and conformity report, which test vehicles usually lack. If a test vehicle is driven on the road, not only will it fail to get licensed, but it may also cause accidents because the design isn't finalized. I once read a report about a car owner who bought a test vehicle disguised as a new car, only to have the vehicle management office reject the license after verification and impose a fine. In short, test vehicles are only suitable for internal testing, and ordinary people should avoid them to prevent unnecessary trouble.
