Can You Drive Without a License Plate?
3 Answers
Driving without a license plate is not permitted. According to the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations of the People's Republic of China": Article 49 If the motor vehicle license plate or "Motor Vehicle Driving License" is lost or missing, the owner of the motor vehicle shall fill out the "Motor Vehicle Registration Application Form" and submit the following materials to the vehicle management office under the jurisdiction of the motor vehicle to apply for a replacement of the motor vehicle license plate or "Motor Vehicle Driving License": (1) The identity proof of the motor vehicle owner; (2) The "Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate". Article 50 The vehicle management office shall review the materials submitted by the motor vehicle owner and record the replacement of the motor vehicle license plate and "Motor Vehicle Driving License" in the "Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate". If the motor vehicle license plate is lost or missing, a replacement will be issued within 30 working days from the date of acceptance, with the original motor vehicle registration number remaining unchanged. During the replacement period, the vehicle management office shall issue a temporary driving license plate to the motor vehicle owner.
Don't drive if your license plate falls off - it's illegal by law. Police can issue on-the-spot fines, deduct points, or even tow your vehicle if caught, which is totally not worth it. From a safety perspective, it's equally important as the license plate serves as your car's ID. Without it, your vehicle becomes unrecognizable, increasing suspicion in hit-and-run cases. I recommend stopping immediately to check why it fell off - loose screws or theft? Report the loss and apply for a replacement at the DMV right away. Temporary plates can last a few days but shouldn't be overused. Regularly check plate fastenings during car washes - prevention is better than cure, so don't skip this important step.
As an experienced driver, I've witnessed incidents of lost license plates. Once, my neighbor carelessly drove out without plates and ended up being stopped by traffic police, fined, and delayed for a whole day. The best course of action is to pull over immediately and check if the bracket has loosened and needs tightening. Apply for a replacement plate at the vehicle management office promptly or use a temporary plate as a transition. Remember, license plates are legally required identifiers; missing them means safety risks, and in case of an accident, liability could be unclear. Regularly tighten the screws during routine maintenance.
