How many days can a new car be driven without a temporary license plate?
2 Answers
New cars cannot be driven for even a single day without a temporary license plate. The use of a temporary license plate for a new car must not exceed 15 days. Introduction to Temporary License Plates: A temporary license plate is a paper motor vehicle license plate that permits temporary road use of a motor vehicle, also known as a temporary vehicle movement license plate. It refers to the temporary vehicle movement certificate issued by the vehicle management department of the public security bureau before the new vehicle is officially registered. Procedures for Applying for a Temporary License Plate: The applicant must hold a unit introduction letter, vehicle origin certificate, qualification certificate, and other relevant documents (except for the introduction letter, which is archived, the rest are returned to the applicant) and apply at the vehicle management office. During the application, the starting and ending locations of the vehicle's movement and the duration of the temporary license plate use must be specified.
When it comes to whether you can drive a new car without a temporary license plate for a few days, I have to be honest with you—it's absolutely not allowed, not even for a single day. According to China's traffic regulations, a new car must obtain a temporary license plate on the same day of purchase before it can be driven on the road. Otherwise, it's considered illegal and can be directly penalized by traffic police. I remember seeing a news story once where someone drove around without a temporary plate and was immediately fined 200 yuan, had points deducted, and their car was impounded—they regretted it deeply. My advice is to have the 4S dealership handle the paperwork for you right when you buy the car, or go to the vehicle management office to fill out an application. Temporary plates are usually valid for seven days, and if the formal license hasn't arrived by then, you can renew it. Remember, don't risk saving time—safe driving starts with obeying the law. Otherwise, if an accident happens, your insurance might even refuse to cover it.
