
Using a forged vehicle license will result in a 12-point deduction, vehicle impoundment, 15 days of detention, and a fine. If it constitutes a crime, criminal liability will be pursued according to the law. Article 96 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": Forging, altering, or using forged or altered motor vehicle registration certificates, license plates, vehicle licenses, inspection qualification marks, insurance marks, driving licenses, or using the motor vehicle registration certificates, license plates, vehicle licenses, inspection qualification marks, or insurance marks of other vehicles shall be confiscated by the traffic management department of the public security organ, the motor vehicle shall be impounded, and a fine shall be imposed. If it constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued according to the law. Article 16, Paragraph 3 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law" stipulates: Using forged or altered motor vehicle license plates, vehicle licenses, driving licenses, or using the license plates or vehicle licenses of other motor vehicles will result in a 12-point deduction at one time. A motor vehicle license is the legal document permitting a motor vehicle to drive on roads within China. The vehicle license consists of three parts: the license holder, the main page, and the supplementary page. The front of the main page is the signed core of the license, and the back is the photo of the motor vehicle, sealed with a plastic cover. The supplementary page is the signed core of the license. Article 17 of the "Road Traffic Management Regulations" stipulates: Vehicles must pass inspection by the vehicle management authority and obtain license plates and a vehicle license before they are permitted to drive.

As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I have to talk about this. A friend of mine was recently caught speeding on the highway using fake license plates. He was immediately penalized with 12 demerit points, fined 5,000 yuan, and required to attend a theoretical exam at the traffic police station to get his license back. Think about it—12 points is the full score, and losing all of them means starting from scratch, which is both a hassle and disruptive to work. The key issue is that such fraudulent behavior is extremely dangerous. If an accident occurs and the perpetrator flees, victims may struggle to claim compensation, and tracing responsibility becomes problematic. Don’t assume that swapping license plates is a clever way to save money or evade penalties. In reality, the traffic police’s surveillance systems are incredibly advanced nowadays, and you’ll be caught in no time. My advice is to regularly check that your license plates are intact and avoid any shady tactics—honest driving is the most hassle-free approach.

Understanding the scoring rules makes me feel more at ease while driving. Using forged or altered vehicle license plates results in a 12-point deduction under Chinese regulations, one of the most severe penalties, equivalent to drunk driving. The reason behind this is that fake plates are highly deceptive and severely disrupt traffic order, prompting authorities to crack down hard. After the points deduction, the vehicle owner must suspend driving and retake the theoretical exam (Subject 1) to restore their license, along with a fine ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 yuan. I believe everyone should remember: license plates are a vehicle's ID, and tampering with them comes at a heavy price. During routine maintenance, simply checking if the screws are loose or if the labels are faded can prevent unintentional violations. Road safety depends on everyone; following the rules is the safest approach.

The consequences of using fake license plates are extremely severe. It results in an immediate deduction of 12 points, rendering the driver's license temporarily invalid, and requires attending a study course, retaking the exam, and paying a fine. Even worse, it poses hidden safety risks: perpetrators can easily evade responsibility, leaving innocent victims to suffer. Deducting 12 points serves as a strong deterrent against such behavior. I always remind myself to avoid any form of fake license plate usage. Safety first is far more important than small gains.


