How are temporary license plates charged on highways?
4 Answers
Temporary license plates and regular license plates are charged the same on highways. Here are the specific details about highway tolls: 1. Highway toll standards: Both 5-seat and 7-seat family vehicles are charged according to Class 1 vehicle standards. Four-lane highways have relatively lower toll rates, while six-lane and above highways have higher toll rates. 2. Highway distribution: China currently has 36 national highway routes, including 7 capital radial lines, 11 north-south national highway vertical lines, and 18 east-west national highway horizontal lines. China has the world's largest highway mileage.
I just bought a new car a few days ago, and it still has temporary license plates. I was a bit nervous driving on the highway, but the toll fees are actually the same as for regular plates. The car is a small one, and when I took the card at the entrance, the toll collector glanced at the temporary plates and charged me as a Class 1 vehicle. After all, temporary plates are just proof that the car hasn’t been officially registered yet, and tolls are calculated based on the vehicle’s weight and type. Throughout the trip, I used the manual lane and paid in cash, which was quite convenient. If you don’t have an ETC, remember to prepare change or mobile payment in advance to avoid hassle at the toll booth. During the temporary plate period, it’s best not to drive long distances too often—if the plates expire, you’ll have to go to the DMV to renew them, and if the toll station checks, it might cause some trouble. I think understanding the toll rules in advance saves a lot of hassle. Next time, I’ll get an ETC first to avoid scrambling every time I hit the highway.
As someone knowledgeable about cars, I understand that temporary license plate vehicles being charged on highways is completely normal, no different from regular vehicles. The toll is based on vehicle classification, such as passenger cars falling under one rate tier, calculated according to the distance traveled. Toll stations process this via license plate recognition or manual confirmation. If you have a temporary plate, inform the toll collector at the entrance or scan the barcode, and they can handle it. However, without an ETC, you'll need to pay in cash or via scan-to-pay. It's advisable to minimize long-distance highway travel during the temporary plate period, as tolls can accumulate to a significant amount. Meanwhile, proceed to obtain a formal license plate and ETC as soon as possible for more convenient future travel and potential discounts. Highways treat all vehicles equally; adhering to the rules ensures safe and smooth travel.
I've been driving for half my life, and there's nothing special about tolls for temporary license plates on highways. Small cars are still charged according to standard rates. When the toll station sees your temporary plate, they just charge you as a regular vehicle. If you don't have ETC, pay manually. Don't foolishly think you can avoid the toll—just pay honestly. Long-distance trips will cost a bit more, so it's better to get your official license plate sorted out early for peace of mind.
