Can the 3 temporary license plates be used non-consecutively?
2 Answers
3 temporary license plates can be used non-consecutively. However, each new car can only apply for temporary license plates 3 times, and no more applications are allowed after exceeding this limit. Legal provisions: The "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" clearly stipulates that vehicles driving on the road must display license plates as required, and failure to do so will result in penalties. However, before obtaining formal license plates, it is mandatory to apply for temporary motor vehicle license plates in accordance with regulations to legally drive on the road. Validity period of temporary license plates: New cars must not use temporary license plates for more than 15 days, and owners should promptly apply for formal license plates from the vehicle management authority. Driving without license plates will lead to the vehicle being impounded by public security traffic management departments, fines, and a deduction of 12 points.
An old friend of mine often buys used cars and uses temporary license plates as a transition for each vehicle. He mentioned that the three temporary plates don't have to be used consecutively—you can have a gap of a few days in between before renewing, as long as it's within the overall validity period. Temporary plates are, as the name suggests, provisional license plates, usually allowed by the DMV to be used three times, each for a certain period, giving you flexibility in scheduling. But be careful not to let them expire—I’ve seen people forget to renew and end up fined by traffic police, then having to reapply. Enforcement is strict now—driving with an expired plate counts as unlicensed driving, which carries serious consequences. The DMV has an online platform where you can check the validity period and remaining uses in advance to avoid hassle. Remember, temporary plates are mainly for new cars or vehicles in transition—don’t rely on them for too long. Get your permanent plates as soon as possible—safety first.