How Many Times Can a Cross-Province Temporary License Plate Be Applied For?
3 Answers
Temporary license plates can be applied for once for cross-province use. There are mainly two types of temporary license plates: those for use within an administrative jurisdiction and those for cross-administrative jurisdiction use. The former can be applied for up to three times, each valid for 15 days. The latter, however, can only be applied for once and is valid for no more than 30 days. Documents required for obtaining a temporary license plate: Identification documents of the vehicle owner and the agent; proof of vehicle origin; the whole vehicle factory certificate for domestically produced vehicles or the import certificate for imported vehicles; vehicle identification number (VIN) and engine number imprints. The vehicle management office will review the above documents for compliance and conduct a safety and technical performance test on the vehicle. If everything is in order, a temporary license plate will be issued, specifying the validity period and the start and end locations. Notes on vehicle license plates: If the owner chooses to receive the license plate by mail, the delivery time will be longer, typically taking 3-4 days. Therefore, while waiting for the official license plate, it is important to keep an eye on the expiration date of the temporary plate. Once it is about to expire, a new one should be promptly applied for.
Having driven for over a decade and handled cross-provincial temporary license plates multiple times, I can say these are generally issued just once. For instance, when you buy a new car out of town and drive it back home, the DMV issues a temporary plate valid for about seven days specifically for cross-province travel. If you miss the registration deadline—say, due to an accident delaying things—you might sometimes get a reissue, but you'll have to resubmit forms and paperwork, which is quite a hassle. Many assume these can be issued indefinitely, but the limited number is to prevent misuse and avoid problems like fake plates on the road. My advice? Get your permanent plates sorted early to avoid repeated hassles that could compromise road safety. Remember, each time you apply for a temporary plate, have the vehicle inspected—don’t drag it out too long, or you risk fines from the police. This is all part of environmental and traffic management policies.
Having worked in an auto factory, I've seen a lot. The number of times you can apply for a cross-provincial temporary license plate is usually limited to just once. If the DMV is strict, it's once; if they're more lenient, it's up to twice at most—it really depends on local policies. But I wouldn't recommend going beyond twice. Why so few? Because temporary plates themselves have a short validity period, typically 7-15 days, meant to ensure you register the vehicle promptly. Applying multiple times could raise suspicions, like failing to register on time or the vehicle having hidden issues. From a safety perspective, each additional application increases risks, such as being more likely to get flagged for inspection on highways. My advice: when applying the first time, bring all necessary documents like the purchase invoice and ID to avoid repetitive paperwork hassles. Also, too many applications can affect insurance coverage, potentially leaving you underinsured in case of an accident.
