Can You Drive on the Road If Your License Plate Was Washed Away by Water?
3 Answers
You cannot drive on the road if your license plate was washed away by water. Below is an introduction regarding license plates: 1. Reasons for Loss: The most commonly lost is the front license plate, which is installed on the front bumper and secured by two nuts made of copper, iron, or aluminum. When the vehicle passes through water, the front bumper lifts the water, creating an external force that impacts the license plate, bending it. When this force exceeds the maximum load capacity of the nut base, the nuts are forcibly pulled out of the plastic, ultimately causing the front license plate to fall off. The faster the vehicle speed, the greater the impact force of the water, and the higher the likelihood of the license plate falling off. 2. Apply for a Temporary License Plate Promptly: The vehicle owner should immediately go to the traffic and vehicle management department to apply for a replacement of the license plate. Following the relevant procedures for replacement is not time-consuming or laborious. Moreover, the vehicle management department will issue a temporary license plate for the vehicle, allowing it to be driven on the road normally.
If your license plate has been washed away by water, you absolutely must not drive on the road. I remember when I first bought my car, I encountered a similar situation and almost impulsively drove to work. Without a license plate, the police can easily pull you over for inspection. According to traffic laws, vehicles must display clearly visible license plates to be driven. Otherwise, if caught, you could face fines of several hundred or even over a thousand yuan, and may also receive penalty points. A friend of mine once took the risk and drove without one—he got fined and nearly caused an accident because others couldn’t see his car clearly. My advice is to stop immediately and check. Don’t drive away; it’s best to call for a tow truck or take a taxi to the nearest DMV to apply for a replacement plate. The process isn’t too troublesome—just bring your driver’s license and vehicle registration documents. After heavy rain, always check your license plate to prevent this from happening again.
I've been driving for almost thirty years and understand the importance of license plates, which are like a car's ID card. Once they fall off, you absolutely must not drive on the road. The law explicitly requires license plates to be in place; otherwise, the vehicle is considered illegal. If a collision or dispute occurs on the road and others can't check your vehicle information, it can lead to big trouble, and insurance claims may easily be denied. I once noticed my license plate was loose after a flood and immediately stopped driving—don’t push your luck. I recommend safely parking nearby and trying to create a temporary tag, such as writing down the vehicle model and number, but this isn’t a formal solution. At best, it can last a few hours before you must quickly visit the DMV to get new plates. Also, check if the mounting bolts are loose and perform regular maintenance.
