How Many Times Can a Temporary License Plate Be Applied For?

[VonMia]

Temporary license plates can be applied for up to 3 times. Temporary license plates are only valid for use within their specified period. For administrative regions, temporary plates are valid for 7 to 15 days. If the official license plate cannot be issued within the period of using the temporary plate, the vehicle owner needs to apply for a temporary plate again. When a vehicle applies for temporary plates more than three times, the vehicle will be locked. When obtaining a temporary license plate, the temporary vehicle registration form must be filled out as required, and the following documents must be submitted: 1. Proof of identity of the vehicle owner and the agent; 2. Proof of the vehicle's origin; 3. For domestically produced vehicles, the whole vehicle factory certificate, and for imported vehicles, the import certificate; 4. Vehicle identification code and engine number rubbing mold.

[StLena]

Last time when I helped a friend apply for temporary license plates, I specifically asked the DMV staff. According to regulations, new vehicles can apply for temporary plates up to three times, with each valid for 15 days. If you still haven't obtained formal license plates after 45 days, there might be some issues. I saw someone get rejected on their fourth application back then - the staff advised completing vehicle registration as soon as possible. The required documents are quite simple: vehicle purchase invoice, compulsory traffic insurance policy, and ID card. But I'd recommend calling ahead to confirm local requirements, as some cities now support online applications to save unnecessary trips. Driving with expired temporary plates counts as unlicensed driving if caught.

[DeGrace]

Friends who are into car modifications are probably the most familiar with the rules for temporary license plates. Take my acquaintance Lao Wang, for example—when he was modifying his tube-frame race car, he specifically went to the DMV three times to get temporary plates. Here are a few key details to note: policies may differ for trailers and imported vehicles; if the vehicle needs to enter or exit processing zones, an additional permit is required; in places like Zhejiang, temporary plates must be affixed to the lower right corner of the windshield. It’s best to apply for new plates five days before the current ones expire to avoid delaying the annual inspection. Also, remember to keep the plate issuance receipt safe—a colleague of mine almost had to pay the fee twice because they lost it.

[DeStephen]

Used car buyers might be more concerned about this. When I purchased an out-of-town vehicle, I applied for temporary license plates twice consecutively—the first for 15 days to transfer the registration, and the second for 15 days to register it locally. The blue-background temporary plates for cross-province circulation have a stronger validity, with some provinces and cities allowing extensions up to 30 days. However, it's important to note that the cumulative number of temporary plates is capped at three. Before transferring ownership, it's advisable to have the seller confirm whether the vehicle has any outstanding violations. Last week, a fellow car enthusiast was stuck at the DMV because the original owner had unpaid fines, preventing the renewal of the temporary plates.

[ElliotFitz]

A buddy of mine in auto logistics told me they often need to apply for temporary movement licenses. While the rule allows three applications, special vehicles like test cars or exhibition cars can apply for temporary filing certificates instead. The key is the date on the purchase invoice—some car owners get stuck at dealerships too long, leaving insufficient time for temp plates. Shanghai piloted e-temp plates last year; scanning a QR code shows validity, way more convenient than paper versions. Also, tow truck temp plate applications require more complex documentation, including extra vehicle technical parameter sheets.