How Long Can Temporary License Plates Be Used in Beijing?
2 Answers
In Beijing, most temporary license plates are valid for 7 days and can be issued up to three times, meaning the maximum duration for temporary plates is 21 days. Temporary license plates are paper-based permits that allow vehicles to be driven on roads before official registration. They are issued by the vehicle management department of the public security bureau. There are four types of temporary license plates: temporary plates for administrative districts, temporary plates for cross-administrative districts, temporary plates for testing purposes, and temporary plates for special vehicles. The use of temporary plates is time-limited and region-specific. Temporary plates are made of paper and do not need to be fixed to the front or rear of the vehicle body. However, they must be properly affixed to the inside of the front and rear windshields as per regulations. Failure to do so is equivalent to driving without a license plate.
Last time I bought a new car in Beijing and got the temporary license plate, I found that thing was only valid for seven days. This is a standard regulation—car owners must quickly apply for the official plate, otherwise driving with an expired one could result in a 500-yuan fine and possible demerit points. From my own experience, I went to the DMV to make an appointment within the first two days. The staff said the temporary plate can be extended once, up to 15 days, but don’t rely on it too much. To get the temporary plate, you need to bring your ID card, insurance policy, and car purchase invoice. Once it’s affixed to the windshield, you can hit the road, but driving with it always feels a bit uneasy. My advice is to buy insurance as soon as you get the new car and then head straight to the DMV—don’t waste time, or getting caught really isn’t worth it. Remember, the rules are there for safety. Temporary plates may be short-lived but useful—manage your time well during the transition period, and you’ll feel much more at ease.