Is it okay if one temporary license plate falls off?
3 Answers
No. It is considered as failing to hang the motor vehicle license plate as required, which will result in a 12-point penalty and a fine. You should go to the local vehicle management office to reapply for a temporary license plate and affix it to the front and rear windshields of the vehicle before driving on the road. Below are the relevant details: Conditions for applying for a temporary license plate: If you need to drive the vehicle from the place of purchase to the place of use, you must apply for a temporary license plate at the vehicle management office in the place of purchase. If the vehicle is being transferred and the official license plate has been surrendered, you need to apply for a temporary license plate at the local vehicle management office to drive back to your locality. For a new vehicle that has not yet obtained an official license plate in the local area and needs to be driven to another location for modification, you must apply for a temporary license plate locally. After the modification is completed, you must apply for a temporary license plate at the local office to drive back to the original area. If you purchase a vehicle locally and need to drive it to another location, you must apply for a temporary license plate locally to drive to the other location, and vice versa. Temporary use is required if the vehicle’s registration has not yet been finalized.
I recently experienced losing one of my temporary license plates. The car had one plate affixed to the front and one to the back, but the one on the front windshield went missing, and I almost didn't notice. It took me a few days to realize, and I was quite nervous. After checking the relevant regulations, I found that traffic laws require vehicles to display temporary plates in full—missing even one is considered as having no plates or incomplete plates. If caught by traffic police, you could face a fine ranging from 200 to 2,000 yuan and possibly even points deducted from your license. I hurried to the DMV to get a replacement, bringing my ID, car purchase invoice, and vehicle registration. The process wasn’t too complicated and was completed within a day. A reminder to everyone: temporary plates are attached with double-sided tape and can easily come off, especially during high-speed driving or windy weather. Make it a habit to check the plates after parking to avoid such awkward situations. Additionally, in case of an accident, insurance companies might use this as grounds to deny partial claims—don’t let a small oversight lead to bigger losses. Safe driving starts with attention to detail, and getting a replacement promptly is always better than living in constant worry.
From a regulatory perspective, having one missing temporary license plate is definitely problematic. After assisting relatives with several vehicle-related matters, I've gained some experience. The traffic laws clearly stipulate that motor vehicles must display complete license plates when on the road, including the full set of temporary plate identifiers. Missing one plate means non-compliance with standards, and law enforcement will consider it as illegal driving. The penalty risks are significant, potentially involving a 200 yuan fine and 3 demerit points. Don't take chances - if stopped on the road, explaining the situation would be troublesome and time-consuming. I recommend immediately visiting the local vehicle management office for a replacement, where you'll need to provide identification and original application materials. The process can usually be completed on the spot. Temporary plates typically have a validity period of about 15 days - it gets worse if they expire. Always check that adhesive stickers are secure when getting new plates. Develop the habit of glancing at your plates while driving as a preventive measure. Never overlook safety details, and always maintain legal compliance.
