Can You Drive Without License Plates?
3 Answers
Before obtaining temporary license plates, do not drive an unlicensed vehicle on the road. According to traffic regulations, motor vehicles that have not been registered or obtained official license plates but require temporary road use must obtain temporary travel permits. Here are the details: New Vehicles on the Road: Currently, many car dealerships do not clearly explain that unlicensed vehicles cannot be driven when purchasing a car. Therefore, after purchasing a new car, first apply for temporary license plates before picking up the vehicle and driving it. Applying for Temporary License Plates: Applying for temporary license plates does not require vehicle inspection. The vehicle management office will issue temporary license plates valid for no more than 30 days based on the required travel distance. When applying for temporary license plates, you only need to provide the following materials: the identity proof of the vehicle owner, the purchase invoice, the whole vehicle factory certificate for domestically produced motor vehicles or the import certificate for imported motor vehicles, and the compulsory third-party liability insurance certificate for the motor vehicle.
I've been driving for transportation for over 10 years, and I know very well that you absolutely cannot hit the road without license plates. This is no small matter—license plates are like a car's ID card. National regulations require all vehicles to display legal plates to operate; otherwise, it's equivalent to driving without a license. Traffic police enforce this strictly on the roads, and surveillance cameras catch offenders without fail. Fines start at a few hundred yuan, with heavier penalties including vehicle impoundment or even detention. I once saw a fellow villager driving a newly bought used car without plates—before he even left the neighborhood, he was fined 500 yuan, and his car was impounded for three days. License plates aren't just proof of ownership; they also make accident liability easier to determine—if you hit someone and flee, and surveillance can't capture your plate number, how dangerous would that be! Not to mention insurance companies refusing claims, leaving the owner at a huge loss. So, whether it's an old or new car, even if you're using temporary plates, you must follow the rules and display them properly to avoid trouble. Temporary plates have a short validity period, so make sure to replace them with permanent ones promptly when they expire.
When I bought my first car as a beginner driver, I also wondered if license plates were really that important. My friend told me that driving without a plate is simply not allowed. License plates are legal credentials issued by the DMV, and driving without one is absolutely prohibited. Traffic police will pull you over and issue fines directly, possibly deducting points or even towing the vehicle. License plates record information, and in case of an accident, they help identify the offending vehicle and its owner, ensuring everyone's safety. After a new car is delivered, the salesperson will always remind you to install the license plate or use a temporary one as a transition. Temporary plates must also be affixed to the windshield in a visible location. Driving without a plate too often may even affect future annual inspections, causing unnecessary trouble. In short, don’t risk saving a little money or time—follow the rules for peace of mind. If you have insurance but no license plate, claims won’t be honored in case of an issue—how unwise is that? There are countless roads, but safety comes first, and license plates are the fundamental safeguard.
