
Temporary license plates do not come with a vehicle license. Types of temporary license plates: There are two types of temporary license plates. One has a sky-blue background with black characters and black borders, which is only valid for driving within the city, known as a local temporary license plate. The other has a brown-yellow background with black characters and black borders, which can be used for driving across cities, known as a non-local temporary license plate. Rules for using temporary license plates: Before the official license plate is issued, only the temporary license plate should be used. Once the official license plate has been issued, even if the temporary license plate is still within its validity period, it cannot be used anymore. If caught by traffic police, corresponding penalties will be imposed.

I recently bought my first car and got a temporary license plate, but the 4S store staff told me that the vehicle registration certificate would take a few more days because the car still needs to go through registration and inspection procedures at the vehicle management office. The temporary plate is just a paper tag, affixed to the car and valid for 7 to 15 days, making it convenient for me to drive to the licensing office. During this period, there’s no formal registration certificate since it’s processed together with the permanent license plate. I’ve talked to friends about this, and many new drivers feel nervous, worried about being fined on the road. Actually, as long as the temporary plate is within its validity period and you carry the insurance policy with you, police checks are generally not a problem. However, it’s still important to get the registration certificate sorted before the temporary plate expires, otherwise, you might face fines or delays in driving. I recommend setting aside enough time when buying a car to avoid rushing.

Having driven for a lifetime, I know all about temporary license plates inside out. They're the provisional certificates issued when you buy a new car or transfer ownership, valid for just a short span of ten-odd days. The vehicle registration certificate definitely isn't on hand yet—you have to wait for the DMV to complete all procedures before it's issued. I remember the day we helped my son pick up his new car; we drove home with the temporary plate, but the registration certificate was nowhere in sight. My years of experience tell me this thing is briefly legal during the transition period, but once you get the registration certificate, it must be carried in the vehicle—it's proof of ownership. New car owners often panic about this, but actually, the DMV process is reliable; just make sure all documents are complete and don't exceed the validity period. Also, don't forget to update the insurance to ensure safe driving.

Having repaired cars for over a decade, I often remind customers that there's no vehicle license during the temporary plate period. It's just a temporary plate allowing owners to drive to registration points for documentation. The vehicle license is issued only after the DMV's review, which takes several days. I've encountered owners still stuck with temporary plates during maintenance visits, and I'd urge them to complete the process promptly. The vehicle license is a core document—driving without it isn't a major issue, but risks like complicated accident handling exist. Completing the formalities within the temporary plate period is crucial.

Last week, I was discussing new cars with a friend, and he mentioned that temporary license plates are just a transitional tool, as the vehicle registration certificate hasn't been issued yet. When I bought my electric car, it was the same—the dealership provided a temporary plate to drive off the lot, but the registration certificate arrived three days later. The whole process feels like waiting in line at an office. Temporary plates have a short validity period, while the registration certificate serves as official proof. I'd advise new car owners to regularly check the progress on the DMV website to avoid delays that might hold up driving. It's safer to hit the road with both the temporary plate and insurance in hand.


