Do Temporary License Plates Get Penalty Points for Traffic Violations?
2 Answers
Temporary license plates do incur penalty points for traffic violations. Temporary plates are a type of legally recognized license plate and serve as the unique, traceable identifier for a vehicle, with records accessible in the traffic management system. The specific vehicle associated with each temporary plate can be traced, so if caught by police on-site, penalties will be enforced according to traffic safety laws. Temporary plates can be captured by high-definition electronic cameras, which can record the vehicle's driving trajectory, meaning violations like running red lights or speeding will be documented. In addition to fixed cameras, highways have mobile speed traps for on-the-spot enforcement, while urban areas have traffic police and motorcycle patrols that also penalize vehicles with temporary plates for violations.
I was also worried about this when I first got my new car. Yes, traffic violations with temporary license plates will still deduct points, just like with regular plates, because I personally witnessed my neighbor getting caught speeding during the temporary plate period—resulting in a 200-yuan fine and 3 points deducted. Violations target both the driver and the vehicle. Temporary plates are only for short-term use, valid for maybe a week to a month, but traffic rules apply equally. Whether you're test-driving a new car or in the transfer period, running red lights, illegal parking, or speeding will all be recorded, and points will be deducted from your license. This is quite important—many people think temporary plates can help them get away with violations, only to end up in bigger trouble. It's recommended to place the temporary plate correctly in the lower right corner of the windshield to avoid extra fines for improper placement. Safe driving is what really matters.
