How Long Can a Newly Purchased Motorcycle Be Driven Without License Plates?

[Joanna]

Newly purchased motorcycles cannot be driven on the road without license plates. Otherwise, 12 points will be deducted from the driver's license, and a fine will be imposed. However, there are two opportunities to apply for temporary license plates, each valid for 15 days. Eligibility and Scope for Applying for Temporary License Plates: When driving the vehicle from the place of purchase to the place of use, a temporary license plate must be applied for at the local vehicle management office where the vehicle was purchased. If the vehicle is being transferred and the official license plate has been surrendered, a temporary license plate must be applied for at the local vehicle management office to drive back to the original location. The process and procedures for applying for temporary license plates include: The applicant must provide a letter of introduction from their unit, proof of vehicle origin, the vehicle's certificate of conformity, and other relevant documents (except for the letter of introduction, which will be archived, the rest will be returned to the applicant). The application must specify the starting and ending locations of the vehicle's journey and the duration of the temporary license plate. After review by the management staff and a satisfactory vehicle inspection, the temporary license plate will be issued, with the validity period and route clearly indicated. Method for Attaching Temporary License Plates: Two temporary license plates must be attached: one should be placed on the upper right corner of the front windshield inside the vehicle, in a position that does not obstruct the driver's view and should not be covered by the compulsory insurance label. The other should be placed on the upper left corner of the rear windshield inside the vehicle.

[LillianaMarie]

Yesterday, I just helped a friend with the registration process for his new motorcycle. The new vehicle can only be driven on the road with a temporary license plate, which is issued by the vehicle management office at the time of purchase and is usually valid for about 15 to 30 days. Make sure not to exceed the validity period, otherwise, the traffic police may impound the vehicle and impose a fine of several hundred yuan if caught. For the formal license plate registration, remember to bring documents like the purchase invoice and insurance policy. The entire process typically requires one or two visits to the vehicle management office. If you really can't make it in time, you can apply for an extension, but a maximum of three times. My neighbor learned this the hard way—he was five days late with the registration and got heavily fined when caught driving.

[VonSienna]

Don't rush to drive your new car out immediately. Current traffic laws require license plates, and temporary plates can last about ten days, up to thirty days at most. You must get the official plates during this period. If you drive without temporary plates and get into an accident, insurance won't cover it, leaving you to pay for all repairs. When I bought my motorcycle, I got the temporary plates the next day and also handled the purchase tax and annual inspection sticker. Actually, with your ID and vehicle certificate ready, the counter process takes just twenty minutes—much easier than dodging traffic police every day.

[StMargaret]

Last year, my cousin bought a motorcycle, and the seller directly helped him obtain a 15-day temporary license plate. He said the traffic police are very strict in their checks, stopping any unlicensed vehicles on sight. The law stipulates that the validity of a temporary plate does not exceed 30 days, with a maximum of three extensions per vehicle. It's advisable to have the dealership handle the temporary plate on the day of purchase to save unnecessary trips. If the plate expires, you could lose all 12 points on your license, and the vehicle might even be towed. When registering the vehicle, remember to check the invoice details carefully—any mistakes would require a reissue, which can be particularly troublesome.