How many points will be deducted for driving without a license plate?

[DiAutumn]

Driving on the road without displaying a motor vehicle license plate will result in the vehicle being impounded, a fine imposed, and 12 points deducted. The vehicle will be returned after providing the corresponding license plate. Below is relevant information: Applying for a temporary license plate: Before obtaining a temporary license plate, do not drive an unlicensed vehicle on the road. According to traffic laws, motor vehicles that have not been registered or obtained official license plates but need to be driven temporarily on the road must obtain temporary passage permits. Illegal activities: Motor vehicle drivers committing the following violations will have 12 points deducted at once: driving a motor vehicle that does not match the permitted vehicle type; driving under the influence of alcohol; driving a commercial passenger vehicle (excluding buses) or school bus carrying more than 20% of the approved number of passengers; fleeing the scene of a traffic accident without constituting a crime; driving a motor vehicle on the road without displaying a license plate, or intentionally covering, damaging, or not installing the license plate as required.

[AbelMarie]

My neighbor Lao Wang just encountered this issue last week. He drove his newly bought car out after the temporary license plate expired without noticing, and was stopped by traffic police who directly deducted 12 points and fined him 2000 yuan! Driving without a license plate is a big no-no, and the penalty is non-negotiable—12 points at once, equivalent to retaking the theoretical driving test. In fact, new car owners are most prone to making this mistake. Even if you just got your car and don’t have a formal license plate yet, don’t cut corners—apply for a temporary plate, which is valid for 15 to 30 days, and never drive after it expires. Traffic rules are designed to protect everyone’s safety. Imagine how dangerous it would be if unlicensed cars were running around everywhere! It’s recommended to take a photo of the vehicle registration certificate immediately after picking up the car and save it on your phone, so you can check the temporary plate’s expiry date anytime.

[VonIsabel]

We seasoned drivers all know that driving without a license plate will result in a guaranteed 12-point deduction, vehicle impoundment, and a minimum fine of 200 yuan with no upper limit. Don't even think about taking chances by dodging cameras—nowadays, the Sky Net system can even identify your vehicle's VIN. Once on a long-distance trip, I saw a car speeding on the highway emergency lane without a license plate, and within 20 kilometers, it was intercepted by traffic police, with the driver's license revoked on the spot. At the end of the day, a license plate is like a vehicle's ID card. New regulations also stipulate that intentionally defacing or obscuring a license plate will similarly result in a 12-point deduction. Don't take temporary plates lightly either—paper plates must be affixed to the upper right corner of the front and rear windshields. Plastic clips can easily loosen or fall off, so it's safer to use static cling stickers for a secure fit.

[Angelo]

Last week at the DMV, I witnessed a case firsthand: a young guy who just picked up his new car skipped getting temporary plates for convenience and drove straight out, only to be pulled over. He pleaded pitifully, 'My license plate is on the way via courier,' but still got fined 2,000 yuan and had 12 points deducted, with his car immediately towed away. Let me be clear: driving without displayed plates, regardless of reason, is treated as not having them installed. Here’s a lesser-known fact—even if your plates are lost and being reissued, you can’t drive without them; you must apply for temporary plates at the DMV as backup. Remember, license plates are like your driver’s license—not checking your 'documents' before driving is too risky. Losing your license to save an hour or two simply isn’t worth it.

[KarterLee]

I specifically consulted a traffic police friend about this. According to Article 95 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, driving without license plates results in an immediate 12-point deduction plus a 2000 RMB fine, making it one of the most severely punished traffic violations! Don't assume temporary plates don't matter - paper temporary plates must be properly displayed in the correct position. Some car owners just toss them on the dashboard, which counts as a violation. A friend learned this the hard way: he kept driving one day after his temporary plates expired and got caught, resulting in points deduction, fines, and having to retake the written driving test. My advice is to have the 4S dealership handle your temporary plates when picking up a new car - it's the safest option. If applying yourself, remember to bring the vehicle certificate, invoice, and ID card. There's currently a major traffic crackdown strictly enforcing plate regulations - don't cross this red line.

[DiBrooklyn]

Driving a new car without license plates is absolutely a minefield, and you could lose all 12 points in an instant! I often encounter such car owners in my repair shop—they come for maintenance with expired temporary plates and end up being stopped by the police, needing a tow truck to haul the car away. According to traffic regulations, this is called driving on the road without displaying license plates, which is a serious violation. Some car owners argue that the license plate screws weren't tightened and fell off, but they still have to accept the penalty. So after picking up the car, make sure to check if all four screws on the license plate frame are intact. A special reminder: this rule also applies to motorcycle owners. Last year, a motorcyclist here had his bike impounded for riding without plates in the mountains. I strongly advise all drivers to check their vehicle documents before setting off—skipping this one-minute check could ruin your entire driving career.