How many days can you drive after reporting the loss of your license plate to the police?
2 Answers
Regardless of whether the front or rear license plate of the vehicle is lost, it is necessary to report it promptly. During the period before the license plate is replaced, it is absolutely prohibited to drive the vehicle on the road. Below is relevant information about license plates: 1. License plate material: Vehicle license plates are plates hung on the front and rear of the vehicle, typically made of aluminum, plastic, or stickers. The plates display the vehicle's registration number, registration region, or other basic information. 2. Function: License plates serve as identification numbers for vehicles. Their primary function is to indicate the province, city, or county to which the vehicle belongs. The vehicle management office can use the license plate to identify the owner of the vehicle.
Having driven for over 20 years, I know full well that reporting lost license plates to the police is just the first step—it absolutely doesn't mean you can legally drive. According to traffic laws, driving without plates is illegal operation. If caught, you'll face at least a 500-yuan fine plus 6 penalty points, not to mention insurance claim denial risks in case of accidents. I had a similar experience when young—I secretly drove to work without plates and got stopped by traffic police, fined over 1,000 yuan with my car impounded for a week (taxi fares that week cost even more). My advice: after filing the report, immediately visit the DMV for plate replacement. Bring your ID and police report receipt—with expedited processing you'll get temporary plates in 1-2 days. Never gamble by driving illegally—playing it safe saves both money and trouble.
