Do Blue License Plate Refrigerated Trucks Need to Apply for an Operating Permit?

[VanManuel]

Blue license plate refrigerated trucks do not need to apply for an operating permit. On September 20, 2017, the Ministry of Transport and 13 other departments issued the "Action Plan for Promoting the Healthy and Stable Development of the Road Freight Industry (2017-2020)" (Document No. Jiao Yun Fa [2017] 141), which mentioned the promotion of canceling some licensing and approval items. Below is additional information: Introduction: Blue license plate vehicles refer to cars with blue license plates, typically featuring white characters and white borders on a blue background. Overview: Small vehicle license plates have white characters and white borders on a blue background. Vehicles with a total mass of less than 4,500 kg (excluding), seating capacity (excluding the driver) of fewer than 20 people (excluding), and a body length of less than 6 meters (excluding) are required to install this type of license plate.

[CadenMarie]

I just bought a blue-plate refrigerated truck last month and specifically inquired at the vehicle management office. The policy has changed now - all blue-plate trucks with a total mass under 4.5 tons, whether refrigerated or not, no longer require operating permits. I remember back in 2019 when the new regulations came out, all us transport drivers applauded the change. Although the operating permit is waived, refrigerated trucks still need to install BeiDou GPS and temperature recorders to ensure full temperature traceability when transporting fresh goods. I suggest you keep the purchase invoice and vehicle certification documents handy in case of random inspections. Honestly, doing short-haul cold chain transport is much less hassle now compared to previous years - the time saved on permits means I can squeeze in two extra trips, which makes better business sense.

[LaLane]

Having driven a refrigerated truck for five years, the most annoying part was the days spent running around for the operating permit. Now, blue-plate refrigerated trucks indeed don’t require an operating permit, as the policy clearly states: light trucks under 4.5 tons are exempt from operating permits. But don’t celebrate too soon—cold chain transportation has more requirements than ordinary trucks. Last time I delivered goods, I was checked for the refrigerated equipment operation records, and was fined 500 yuan for incomplete temperature records. My advice is to print the vehicle registration and the operating permit exemption documents and keep them in the truck. If you encounter a strict traffic officer, just show them directly. Also, remember to buy sufficient commercial insurance—repairing a broken refrigeration unit can cost half a year’s fuel expenses.

[DelDaniella]

A friend in the freight business told me that blue-plate refrigerated trucks no longer require an operating license. Last year, I helped a relative buy a 3-ton refrigerated truck, and it could hit the road for cargo transport directly with a blue plate. The new regulations from the vehicle management office are well implemented—now, when registering the plate, the staff will proactively inform you about the exemption from the operating license. However, special attention must be paid to the annual inspection of refrigerated trucks; the refrigeration system must pass inspection every year. I learned this the hard way when the refrigerator broke down halfway during a delivery, spoiling a whole truckload of seafood. I recommend checking the refrigeration system pipelines monthly—spending half an hour can save you a lot of money.

[DeMaggie]

Just consulted a friend at the traffic management office, and indeed, blue-plate refrigerated trucks don't require an operating permit. However, there are two points to note: first, the total mass must be under 4.5 tons; exceeding this limit means switching to a yellow plate. Second, the vehicle must be registered for non-commercial use. The owner of the fruit store in our neighborhood has a refrigerated truck with a blue plate, and he's never needed an operating permit for daily deliveries. He mentioned that reflective markings on the refrigerated compartment are essential for safer night driving. Also, remember to purchase cargo insurance, as transporting fresh goods carries much higher risks than regular cargo.

[OLillian]

As a professional in cold chain transportation, I can confirm that blue-plate refrigerated trucks do not require an operating license. When accepting orders through freight platforms now, the system automatically recognizes blue-plate vehicles and exempts them from operating license verification. However, refrigerated trucks have special requirements: the compartment must be registered with the transportation temperature range, such as -18°C or 0-5°C. Last week, a colleague was fined for not displaying the temperature label. I always keep a cold chain transportation logbook in my truck to record the compartment temperature during each loading. Although no license is needed, neglecting these details can still lead to inspections. In this line of work, following the rules is more important than having the license.