Can You Drive on the Road with a Temporary License Plate but No Vehicle License?
4 Answers
You cannot drive on the road with a temporary license plate but no vehicle license. The vehicle license is the legal document that permits a motor vehicle to drive on roads within China. It consists of three parts: the license holder, the main page, and the supplementary page. It is issued by the Vehicle Management Center and is used to verify the authenticity of vehicle information. The paper motor vehicle license plate that permits temporary driving on the road, also known as the temporary driving license plate, is a temporary vehicle driving certificate issued by the public security vehicle management department for newly purchased vehicles before they are officially registered. The validity period of a temporary license plate generally does not exceed thirty days. There are four types of temporary license plates: temporary license plates for administrative jurisdictions, temporary license plates for cross-administrative jurisdictions, temporary license plates for testing, and temporary license plates for special-type motor vehicles.
Seeing this question reminds me of when I first picked up my car last year and encountered the same situation. I only had temporary license plates but no vehicle license, and I drove directly on the road, which felt completely normal. Temporary plates are a legal permit for temporary vehicle operation, designed specifically for new cars or transferred vehicles while waiting for the official vehicle license. As long as the temporary plates are still within their validity period, driving on the road is perfectly fine, and no vehicle license is required. However, I must remind you of a few points: make sure to affix the temporary plates prominently on the front and rear of the car as required; carry a valid driver's license in case you're stopped for inspection; and it's best not to drive long distances or use them for extended periods, as temporary plates usually have a validity of only 15 to 30 days. Before they expire, you must visit the vehicle management office to obtain official plates and a vehicle license, otherwise, it will be considered driving without plates and you'll be fined. Always follow traffic rules while driving, and safety should always come first.
I've been driving for over a decade and know that temporary license plates can be used on the road without a vehicle registration certificate. The purpose of temporary plates is to allow vehicles without official documents to be driven legally temporarily, such as driving a newly purchased car home or moving it during the transfer process. The key is to ensure the temporary plates are within their validity period and not expired. Additionally, carry other necessary documents like your driver's license and insurance policy to avoid misunderstandings with traffic police. Not having the registration certificate only means the vehicle registration isn't fully completed, but it doesn't affect the legality of the temporary plates. In practice, many drivers do this without major issues. Just be careful not to get into an accident during the temporary plate period, as insurance claims might be more complicated. The best approach is to complete the registration and obtain the official documents as soon as possible.
From a practical standpoint, temporary license plates allow driving without the vehicle registration certificate. They serve as a temporary substitute during new car delivery or vehicle transfer stages. Drivers only need to ensure the temporary plate's validity period, proper display of the plate, and possession of a driver's license. There's no need to worry about lacking the registration certificate, but it's recommended to complete subsequent procedures promptly to minimize risks. Otherwise, drive normally and maintain safety.
