Is It a Violation to Have Only Two Screws on a License Plate?
3 Answers
Having only two screws on a license plate is considered a violation, as it constitutes failure to install the plate according to regulations. Each license plate should have all four mounting holes secured with fastening devices, which must bear the Chinese character representing the province, autonomous region, or municipality and the letter indicating the issuing authority. Every motor vehicle should be equipped with eight new-style fastening devices, and unless restricted by the vehicle, all four mounting holes on both front and rear license plates must be secured with these devices. License Plate Usage Standards: 1. Temporary License Plates: According to the new standards, temporary license plates must be affixed to the windshield; otherwise, the authorities will penalize the vehicle for improper installation. 2. Motor Vehicles: As per the new standards, motor vehicles may use license plate frames to assist in plate installation, but the inner edge of the frame must be more than 5mm away from the edge of the vehicle registration number characters. 3. License Plate Frames for Motor Vehicles: Only fixed license plate frames are permitted for motor vehicles. Prohibited frames include external lock-type, internal lock-type, electronic automatic shielding, and replaceable frames that facilitate removal or alteration. Detachable or flip-up license plate frames are not allowed.
I also encountered this situation before and specifically consulted a friend from the traffic police department. According to relevant regulations, license plates must be securely fixed with four screws, with two holes each on the front and back. Missing screws violates vehicle management regulations and constitutes a traffic violation. However, in actual enforcement, traffic police may handle it differently based on specific circumstances. For example, if the vehicle only has two pre-drilled holes from the factory, or if the screws naturally fell off, these cases usually don’t result in an immediate fine. Instead, they typically give a verbal warning first, asking you to promptly visit the vehicle management office to get the missing screws replaced for free. However, it’s important to note that if missing screws cause the license plate to fall off or become dirty and obscured, it constitutes a serious violation. Not only could you face fines and demerit points, but it might also affect your vehicle’s annual inspection. Therefore, it’s best to keep all screws intact and regularly check if the license plate is loose.
I've seen many cases where car owners were penalized due to license plate screw issues. Current traffic regulations are very clear: each license plate must be secured with four dedicated anti-tamper screws, and missing even one is considered a violation. During roadside checks, traffic police pay special attention to details, even crouching down to count the screws. Last year, a friend was pulled over because his rear license plate only had two screws and was fined 200 yuan on the spot. Although some older vehicles are designed with only two mounting holes, it's still necessary to fill all four positions as required. It's recommended that car owners regularly inspect their license plates, especially after car washes when screws are most prone to loosening. If any screws are missing, promptly visit the vehicle management office to get replacements—a set of anti-tamper devices costs just a few yuan. Never use small screws as a makeshift solution, as ordinary screws without the license plate number printed on them may be deemed intentional violations.
