How to Properly Apply for a Temporary Vehicle License Plate?
2 Answers
To apply for a temporary license plate, you must have four original documents ready: the owner's ID card, vehicle certification, purchase invoice, and an appointment. With the appointment number and these four original documents, visit the vehicle management office to proceed. Once approved, you can receive the compulsory traffic insurance certificate. The owner can personally bring these four original documents to the vehicle management office to apply, or apply for a temporary license plate online through the vehicle management office website. The application process is as follows: When applying for a temporary license plate, the owner needs to fill out a temporary license plate application form based on their personal information. After completing the form, the staff will provide a number plate, and you can queue for the temporary license plate service according to this number. When it's your turn, proceed to the dedicated window for temporary license plate services. Submit the required documents and the completed temporary license plate application form to the staff. A temporary license plate serves as proof that the vehicle is legally allowed on the road before obtaining the official vehicle license plate issued by the public security traffic police department. Before obtaining the official vehicle license plate, having a temporary license plate allows the vehicle to legally drive on the road, but it's important to note that temporary license plates also have an expiration date.
When I bought a new car recently, I went to get the temporary license plate myself, and the whole process went quite smoothly. I brought my ID card, car purchase invoice, compulsory traffic insurance policy, and vehicle certificate, with both originals and copies just to be safe. I went straight to the local vehicle management office—it’s best to arrive before 10 a.m. on a weekday to avoid long queues. I filled out a simple application form, just writing down the VIN, brand, and owner information. After submitting the documents, the staff checked them, and if everything was fine, I paid a small fee of a few dozen yuan and got a paper temporary plate in minutes. The validity period is usually 15 days, during which the new car can legally be driven to work or for short trips. The key takeaway was to have all the documents ready, especially keeping the invoice intact to avoid unnecessary trips and delays. Some cities support online appointments, so booking in advance saves time and hassle. Overall, handling it yourself is cost-effective, straightforward, and a great way for new car owners to familiarize themselves with the process—definitely worth trying.
