How to Enter a Parking Lot with a New Unlicensed Car?

[RichardRose]

If the parking lot relies on automatic license plate recognition machines and there are no security guards, it is impossible to enter with a new unlicensed car because the machines cannot recognize temporary license plates. If there is a security guard on duty, you can use a temporary license plate and gain entry through manual verification by the guard. For unlicensed cars entering or exiting the parking lot, the entrance and exit can only be operated manually by lifting the barrier. Temporary license plates have time and regional limitations. You can apply for a temporary license plate from the local vehicle management office under any of the following conditions: 1. When driving the vehicle from the place of purchase to the place of use, you need to apply for a temporary license plate at the vehicle management office in the purchase location. 2. When transferring vehicle registration and surrendering the official license plate, you need to apply for a temporary license plate at the local vehicle management office to drive back to your home location. 3. If a new car in the local area has not yet obtained an official license plate and needs to be driven to another location for modifications, you must apply for a temporary license plate locally. After modifications, apply for another temporary license plate at the modification location to drive back to the original area. 4. When purchasing a car locally and driving it to another location, you must apply for a temporary license plate locally before driving to the other location. 5. If the vehicle registration is not yet finalized and temporary use is required.

[McCharlotte]

I recently bought a new car and happened to encounter this issue—how to enter a parking lot without a license plate? Actually, it's quite simple. In most cases, you have a temporary license plate, usually a paper one, affixed to the front windshield or rear window. When I park at shopping malls, the automatic recognition system sometimes fails to read it, but the attendant will come to check the documents. Just show the car purchase contract or invoice. Experience tells me that before getting the official license plate, don’t rush around; it’s easier to contact the 4S store in advance to get a temporary plate. If the parking lot has a manual toll booth, just drive up and explain the situation—registering your plate number and time will allow entry. Once, I forgot to bring the documents, but the attendant used the camera to record it as evidence and didn’t charge me later. In short, communication is key. Don’t force your way in to avoid conflicts. If time allows, check the parking lot’s policy on their app first. A temporary plate is a must for new cars—if lost, get it replaced immediately to avoid trouble when going out.

[DiEmmett]

As someone who has worked in parking lots for several years, I've handled many cases of new cars entering without license plates. It's quite common for cars to lack plates, and the usual method is for the owner to drive to the manual service window, hand me a temporary permit or purchase proof, which I then manually input into the system to generate a temporary barcode for entry. Nowadays, automated gates are more prevalent, but the systems are designed to be user-friendly. When a license-plate-less car triggers an alarm, we use intercoms to verify identity. I recommend that new car owners observe the entrance type before entering. If it's unmanned, it's best to call the duty room in advance to make an appointment or download the parking lot's app for temporary registration. Safety-wise, never force your way through. Once, a driver accelerated to break through and nearly caused an accident. Temporary plates are usually valid for a few days; once expired, you'll need to visit the DMV to get a replacement. New car owners shouldn't delay to avoid making a wasted trip.

[SanCatherine]

I was super excited when I first got my new car, but immediately worried about parking without license plates. A friend recommended using temporary plates, so I quickly went to the dealership to get one. On my first trip to a supermarket parking lot, the automatic gate didn't open. I waited patiently for the attendant, who checked my documents and let me through in just two minutes. After that, I learned to check if the temporary plate was clearly visible before entering, especially in poorly lit garages. I think the most important thing for beginners is to stay calm—this is a common situation, so don't panic and cause an accident. Temporary plates have a short validity, so I suggest getting official plates as soon as possible to avoid hassle.