How to Renew an Expired Temporary License Plate?
3 Answers
You can go to a 4S dealership or the traffic police department's vehicle management office to apply for a temporary license plate or a formal license plate. Here is more information about license plates: 1. Relevant Regulations: According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," motor vehicles driven on the road without displaying a license plate will be detained by the traffic management authorities. The owner will be notified to provide the corresponding license plate, and in accordance with Article 90, a fine of 200 yuan and 12 penalty points will be imposed. 2. Processing Time: The validity period of a temporary license plate is generally 15 days. The owner should apply for a formal license plate within the validity period of the temporary license plate. If the temporary license plate expires and the formal license plate has not yet been issued, continuing to apply for a temporary license plate is the most cost-effective method. However, the maximum number of times a temporary license plate can be applied for is three.
Last year, my temporary license plate also expired, and it happened to be during the holidays—I was almost frantic. Later, I found out that once a temporary plate expires, you absolutely cannot drive on the road, or you’ll get stopped by traffic police, fined, and even get points deducted—totally not worth it. I first called a friend at the DMV, had a family member drive me there, and brought along the car purchase invoice, ID card, and compulsory insurance policy to queue up for a new temporary plate. The whole process was actually pretty quick—the key is not to panic. Just park and handle it directly. If it’s been expired for too long, they recommend going straight for the official license plate. Although the line might be longer, it’s a one-time hassle. Always pay attention to the expiration date—don’t be like me and forget due to busyness, causing delays. Safety first is what matters most.
As someone who frequently deals with vehicle affairs, I can tell you that handling an expired temporary license plate is quite simple: stop driving immediately and don't take the risk, because you could be fined and penalized as soon as you hit the road. Then, bring the necessary documents—a copy of your ID, the original car purchase invoice, and proof of compulsory insurance—to the local DMV to apply for an extension on the spot. If the staff says no further extensions are possible, go ahead and apply for a permanent license plate directly. The entire process takes just a day or two and isn't costly. A reminder to everyone: temporary plates have a short validity period, so it's best to place them in a visible spot for easy checking to avoid issues that could disrupt your travel plans and save yourself unnecessary hassle.
