How to Drive on the Highway with a Temporary License Plate?
3 Answers
New cars with temporary license plates can drive on highways as long as they are within the validity period and can be used in all regions. However, relevant documents such as the invoice, certificate of conformity, and proof of insurance purchase must be carried. As long as the temporary license plate is issued by the vehicle management office and is within the validity period, it can be used nationwide. However, if the driver has less than one year of driving experience and is still in the probationary period, they cannot drive alone on the highway. Introduction to temporary license plates: 1. A paper motor vehicle license plate that permits temporary road use, also known as a temporary driving license plate. It refers to the temporary vehicle driving certificate issued by the public security vehicle management department before the new vehicle is officially registered. 2. The validity period of a temporary license plate generally does not exceed thirty days.
I've had multiple experiences using temporary license plates on highways, and it feels pretty similar to regular plates. You must ensure the temporary plate is valid and not expired. Typically, these are blue or yellow plates issued by traffic authorities, with dates clearly marked. When affixing them, they must be placed in the lower right corner of the front windshield and the lower left corner of the rear windshield, ensuring they're clearly visible. On highways, at toll booths, you need to take a ticket or scan a code just like with a regular car, and you might be asked to show your vehicle registration or ID to prove ownership. Last year after buying a car, I drove back to my hometown with temporary plates—a 300-kilometer trip without any issues. However, it's crucial to avoid speeding and not drive too long at night, as temporary plates can attract more scrutiny from authorities. If planning a long-distance trip, I recommend switching to permanent plates in advance for added security.
When I first bought my car, I tried the highway with temporary plates, and as a new driver, I was quite nervous. The rules are simple: once you get the temporary plates, carefully stick them in the correct positions without tilting, ensuring they are visible to cameras on both the front and rear windows. Before entering the highway, I checked the official website to confirm it was legally allowed, including using the ETC lane—just have the vehicle registration and insurance documents ready just in case. The first time I went, my palms were sweating, and I only dared to test a short daytime route, like a 100-kilometer stretch from the suburbs to a neighboring city. Remember not to be careless—the validity period is usually very short, so don’t delay until it expires; my friend got fined for the delay, causing a lot of trouble. Safety first, just drive slowly.
