How Many Times Can a Temporary License Plate Be Issued for a New Car?
3 Answers
A new car can be issued a temporary license plate for a maximum of 3 times. Below are the application conditions for temporary license plates: 1. When driving the vehicle from the place of purchase to the place of use, a temporary license plate must be applied for at the vehicle management office in the place of purchase. 2. When transferring the vehicle registration and the official license plate has been surrendered, a temporary license plate must be applied for at the local vehicle management office to drive back to the original location. 3. If a new car that has not been issued an official license plate in the local area needs to be driven to another location for modifications, a temporary license plate must be applied for locally. After the modifications are completed, a temporary license plate must be applied for at the local vehicle management office to drive back to the original area. 4. When purchasing a car locally and needing to drive it to another location, a temporary license plate must be applied for locally to drive to the other location, and vice versa. 5. Temporary license plates are required for trial use when the vehicle registration has not been finalized.
I just picked up my new car recently and spent quite some time figuring out the temporary license plate process. Generally, you can apply for a temporary license plate two to three times, with each one valid for 15 days. In Shanghai, they allow three applications—the first one is free, and the second or third may cost a few dozen yuan. Driving to and from work with a temporary plate is fine, but I’d advise planning ahead—like scheduling your official plate application before the first temporary one expires to avoid long queues and delays. I also recommend getting insurance at the same time to cover any risks for your new car. Don’t forget to renew the temporary plate on time—last year, my friend forgot and got fined 200 yuan plus 3 demerit points. Also, drive smoothly during the break-in period—no need to rush the throttle, safety first. In short, act early to avoid trouble, and you can check the exact number of applications allowed on the DMV website.
Having helped people purchase cars and handle license plates for so many years, the number of temporary license plates for new cars is usually two to three times, with each valid for 15 days. At the 4S store, I always remind new car owners to handle it promptly—after the first temporary plate, go to the vehicle management office as soon as possible to get the official plate. Renewing requires resubmitting the car purchase invoice and a copy of the ID card. Don’t let the temporary plate expire, otherwise fines are unavoidable. New drivers should drive more cautiously and check the vehicle’s condition before hitting the road. Also, make sure to get comprehensive insurance. Sharing experience: Policies vary slightly by location. In big cities like Beijing, only two temporary plates are issued, so check in advance to avoid surprises.
