Is it allowed to drive without temporary license plates?

[LeWyatt]

Driving without temporary license plates is not allowed, otherwise you will be fined and receive 12 penalty points. After purchasing a new car, the owner must complete the motor vehicle registration procedures or apply for temporary license plates as soon as possible. Before driving on the road, the owner can apply for temporary license plates from the traffic management department of the public security authority (vehicle management office) by providing documents such as ID proof, vehicle purchase invoice, new vehicle certificate, compulsory traffic insurance certificate or import certificate, and copies of relevant documents. Temporary license plates are paper motor vehicle plates that allow temporary driving on the road, issued by the vehicle management department of the public security authority for newly purchased vehicles before formal registration. The validity period of temporary license plates generally does not exceed 30 days, and there are four types in total: temporary license plates for administrative districts, temporary license plates for cross-administrative districts, temporary license plates for testing purposes, and temporary license plates for special motor vehicles.

[KathrynMarie]

I had similar confusion when I picked up my car last time and specifically checked the traffic regulations. Driving without temporary license plates is absolutely not allowed, just like drunk driving, it's a serious violation. If caught by traffic police, you'll immediately lose 12 points and have to pay a 200 yuan fine, and your new car might even be towed away. Many new car owners make this mistake - they're in a hurry to drive home from the dealership, thinking it's just 2-3 kilometers and nothing will happen. But if an accident occurs, it's terrible as insurance companies can refuse to pay, and hit-and-run cases become harder to solve. I suggest asking the salesperson to help you get temporary plates before picking up the car. Many DMVs now offer expedited services - waiting two hours is much better than losing all your driver's license points.

[StAlexandra]

My neighbor learned the hard way about driving without temporary plates. Right after getting his new car, he went for a joyride in the suburbs and got stopped at the highway entrance. The police deducted 12 points from his license and impounded the car on the spot, forcing him to call a tow truck. The bigger hassle was having to retake the written driving test, leaving him carless for six months during his commute. Actually, getting temporary plates is super easy: just bring the car purchase invoice and ID to the DMV, fill out a form, and wait about half an hour. It only costs ten yuan - cheaper than a taxi ride. Never believe the nonsense that 'cops don't check new cars.' With surveillance cameras everywhere these days, any unplated vehicle gets flagged by the system the moment it hits the road.

[Stevie]

Many people underestimate the risks of driving without temporary license plates. Firstly, driving without plates is equivalent to unlicensed driving, like running naked. If you get rear-ended, the other party could insist you suddenly changed lanes, making it hard to prove your innocence even with dashcam footage. Secondly, insurance companies may refuse to pay using the 'illegal driving' clause, leaving you to cover all repair costs out of pocket. My advice is to plan before picking up the car: either have the 4S dealership handle the temporary plates for you or book a tow truck to transport it home. Temporary plates are valid for 15 to 30 days, which is plenty of time to wait for the official plates to arrive. Really need to move the car urgently? It's easier to ask a licensed friend to drive it for you.

[DanielaMarie]

Last week, I accompanied my friend to pick up his new car, and the 4S store repeatedly emphasized not to drive away without a temporary license plate. A new car without a license plate is like a person without an ID card—hitting the road is like being a moving ticket. If caught by traffic police, the penalties range from fines and demerit points to even having the vehicle impounded. There are actually two types of temporary plates: the blue-background plate for administrative districts allows driving within the city, while the brown-background plate is needed for inter-provincial travel. Many cities now offer electronic temporary plates, but you must apply online first. If your temporary plate expires, don’t risk driving—just renew it promptly at the DMV, which is much more cost-effective than retaking the driving test.