How to Apply for Temporary License Plates for a New Car?
2 Answers
When applying for temporary license plates for a new car, pay attention to the following: 1. Types of temporary license plates. There are four types of temporary plates: temporary plates for administrative jurisdictions (for new cars sold within the city), temporary plates for cross-administrative jurisdictions (for new cars sold to other regions), temporary plates for test vehicles (test cars, engineering prototypes, etc.), and temporary plates for special vehicles. The first two types are 'local temporary plates' only allowed to drive within Beijing and 'non-local temporary plates' not permitted to drive in Beijing, corresponding to new cars sold within the city and those sold to other provinces and cities, respectively. The so-called 'national temporary plates' rumored online are actually non-local temporary plates, which can only be used in specified 'non-local areas' (the final registration area of the vehicle) and are not valid nationwide. 2. Prerequisites for applying for temporary plates. There is a prerequisite for applying for temporary plates: any new car must have temporary plates to drive on the road, which is an indisputable fact. Normally, new car owners should promptly apply for temporary plates after obtaining the vehicle invoice, new car certificate, and compulsory insurance policy. Driving without temporary plates is not allowed.
I just bought a new car, and getting temporary license plates is actually quite straightforward. The first step is at the time of pickup—the staff at the 4S dealership will usually help you apply for temporary plates. Just bring your ID, car purchase invoice, and insurance documents. Once you receive the temporary plates, they come as adhesive stickers. You need to place one on the inside of the front windshield’s upper-right corner and another on the inside of the rear windshield’s upper-left corner. Make sure they’re centered and not crooked, as misplacement could obstruct your view or cause fogging, compromising safety. Press them firmly in place to prevent peeling. Temporary plates are typically valid for 15 to 30 days, depending on local regulations. During this period, hurry to the DMV to get your permanent plates—don’t delay, or you risk fines for driving with expired temporary plates. These plates allow you to drive legally before obtaining permanent ones, so ensure they’re properly displayed to avoid trouble.
