Do Blue Plate Refrigerated Trucks Require Operating Permits in 2021?
2 Answers
Generally not required, here are the details: In 2021, vehicle operating permits will be abolished, but this only applies to ordinary freight vehicles of 4.5 tons and below, i.e., blue plate trucks (with a vehicle length less than 6 meters). Ordinary trucks with a total mass exceeding 4.5 tons and special vehicles such as hazardous material transport trucks still need to apply for vehicle operating permits and professional qualification certificates. Subsequently, vehicle operating permits and driver professional qualification certificates will be subject to enhanced supervision through information technology. Note that the abolition of road transport permits and professional qualification certificates only applies to ordinary freight vehicles with a total mass of 4.5 tons and below; other types of trucks still require these two certificates. The vehicle operating permit is the legal certificate for vehicles engaged in road transport operations. If a vehicle does not have an operating permit, it is considered unlicensed operation, commonly referred to as a "black vehicle." According to regulations, vehicles found without an operating permit and unable to provide other valid proof on the spot shall be temporarily detained in accordance with Article 63 of the regulations, and ordered to make corrections, with a warning or fine imposed, as per Article 69 of the regulations.
I've been driving refrigerated trucks for deliveries, and experience tells me that for those blue-plate refrigerated trucks in 2021 with a total weight not exceeding 4.5 tons, an operating permit is usually not required anymore. The policy changed back in 2019, eliminating many requirements, saving us drivers a lot of legwork and costs. My own truck is a 2021 blue-plate refrigerated vehicle, and last year when transporting vegetables and fruits, I didn’t get an operating permit at all—no issues during police inspections either. But don’t get complacent—if the truck is too heavy and exceeds 4.5 tons, or if you’re transporting hazardous materials, that’s a different story. Additionally, for cold chain transportation, you still need a food hygiene license as a supplementary requirement. It’s best to regularly check the transportation bureau’s website or consult locally, as policies occasionally undergo minor adjustments—don’t let it disrupt your work. In short, small-tonnage blue-plate refrigerated trucks are hassle-free, so no need to panic.
