Is it necessary to install a license plate frame for a car?
3 Answers
It is optional to install a license plate frame for a car. Whether or not a license plate frame is installed, the white border around the license plate characters must not be obscured. Additional information: Regulations related to license plate frame installation: 1. Regulation 1: License plate frames can be used to assist in mounting the license plate, but the inner edge of the frame must be more than 5mm away from the edge of the vehicle registration number characters. 2. Regulation 2: The license plate frame must be a fixed type that protects the license plate without affecting the recognition of the characters. It should not include external lock-type, internal lock-type, electronic automatic shielding, or replaceable frames that facilitate removal or alteration. Detachable or flip-up license plate frames are not permitted. 3. Regulation 3: The outer frame of the license plate must not contain any logos, letters, or decorative patterns, nor should it obscure the license plate characters. Otherwise, it will be considered a violation involving license plate and documentation fraud.
After spending a considerable amount to replace my license plate when it got bent in a collision, I realized the importance of installing a license plate frame. These frames act like protective armor for your plate, shielding your car's paint from stone chips and preventing edge damage from careless door openings in parking lots. Opt for fully transparent border designs – any frames with cartoon patterns or advertisements could be deemed as license plate obstruction by traffic police, resulting in a 200-yuan fine and penalty points. As someone who frequently drives on suburban gravel roads, I've noticed my plate stays much flatter with a frame, and water stains no longer accumulate in crevices to cause rust. Don't overlook the mounting screws either – specialized anti-rust nuts are far superior to standard iron screws, which can completely corrode within months.
Seeing my friend's license plate dented by flying stones, I also went to the auto parts market to install a license plate frame. Choosing aluminum alloy material is the most important—it's three times more durable than plastic ones and won't deform for at least five years. During installation, make sure the seller doesn't include decorative borders, as those metal edges can cover the white border of the license plate, which counts as illegal modification. Now I don't even worry about hailstorms—last time, my neighbor's license plate got dented by hail, but my frame acted as a buffer. It also makes car washes easier, as high-pressure water jets won't bend the edges, keeping the license plate numbers always clear. For online purchases, I recommend choosing a model with rubber gaskets to prevent rattling noises.
