Is it acceptable not to affix temporary license plates on the windshield?

[Laurie]

It is not permissible to leave temporary license plates unaffixed on the windshield. Additional relevant information is as follows: 1. Temporary license plates must be affixed to the windshield. Failure to adhere to the regulations regarding the placement of temporary plates will result in penalties from traffic police for intentionally obscuring, defacing, or improperly installing motor vehicle license plates, including fines and a deduction of 12 points. 2. There are two temporary license plates: one should be affixed to the lower left or right corner of the front windshield inside the vehicle, in a position that does not obstruct the driver's view, and the other should be affixed to the lower left corner of the rear windshield inside the vehicle. Temporary plates are region-specific and time-limited, with different plates serving different purposes. If traveling across provinces or cities, it is necessary to apply for a temporary license plate that covers multiple administrative jurisdictions.

[VonJulian]

Last time when I helped my cousin pick up his new car, I ran into this exact issue - temporary license plates must be firmly attached to the windows! One needs to be placed at the lower left or right corner of the front windshield, and the other must be fixed at the lower left corner of the rear windshield. If you're lazy and just leave it on the dashboard, getting caught by traffic police will cost you 9 demerit points plus a 200 yuan fine. I once saw a guy who stuffed his temp plate in the glove box, and when he got rear-ended, the insurance company refused the claim. Those flimsy-looking temporary plates might seem insignificant, but on the road they're your ID card - getting caught by traffic cameras for driving without plates would be even more troublesome. Remember to remove the protective film and use transparent tape to secure all four corners, so they won't come off easily even in rainy weather.

[AdrianDella]

Just handled a similar dispute for a client. Temporary license plates must be properly affixed on two pieces of glass. Some people think placing it on the dashboard is convenient for access, but this is a violation. Last year, a neighbor drove out without affixing the temporary plate, resulting not only in points and fines but also difficulties in claiming insurance when a tire was punctured later. The paper temporary plate must be clearly visible from any angle, especially the one on the rear windshield, which should avoid the wiper area. If the vehicle has dark tint, the plate should be placed in the untinted corner of the glass. It's recommended to use self-adhesive static cling for fixation, as it's more secure than regular tape and won't damage the car film.

[McHailey]

When I bought my first car, I was also confused about how to attach the temporary license plate, so I made a special trip to the DMV to inquire. The staff emphasized that it must be affixed to the lower left corner of the front windshield and the lower left corner of the rear windshield, without folding or curling the edges. Although temporary plates have a short validity period, they carry the same legal weight as permanent plates. Failure to display them is equivalent to driving without a license. A colleague of mine tried to save effort by using magnetic holders, but the plate flew off during a turn and resulted in a traffic violation. When attaching the plate, be careful to avoid the airbag deployment area, and using kitchen anti-slip pads works better than tape for a snug fit.