Should I install the official license plate when it arrives even if the temporary plate hasn't expired?
3 Answers
The "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" clearly stipulates that when the official license plate arrives before the temporary plate expires, it must be replaced with the official license plate. Below are the relevant regulations for official license plates and temporary license plates: A temporary license plate is used temporarily before obtaining the official license plate. Once the official license plate is obtained, the vehicle should be driven with the official license plate. Regardless of whether the temporary license plate has expired or not, it will become invalid after obtaining the official license plate. When the vehicle owner receives the official license plate, they must immediately install it on the vehicle. According to the relevant regulations of the "Motor Vehicle License Plates of the People's Republic of China": the temporary license plate will become invalid the next day after receiving the metal license plate if the temporary license plate is not surrendered. Consequences of driving with an invalid temporary license plate: If the temporary license plate is still used after receiving the official license plate, it violates the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" and is considered driving a motor vehicle without displaying the license plate. If caught, the traffic management department of the public security organ shall detain the motor vehicle, require the party to provide the corresponding license plate, and impose a fine of 200 yuan and 12 penalty points in accordance with Article 90.
I've been driving on the road for over a decade, and let me tell you, if your temporary license plate hasn't expired but your official license plate has arrived, you must install it immediately. First of all, the traffic law clearly states that once the official license plate is issued, it must be installed and used right away, and you cannot continue to use the temporary plate. Even if the temporary plate is still valid, if you don't replace it promptly and get caught by traffic police, you could face fines, points deducted, or even issues with insurance claims. I've seen many cases during community car maintenance where people thought the temporary plate was more convenient and delayed replacing it, only to suffer during accident settlements. It's best to install the official plate the same day you receive it—the steps are quite simple, usually just needing a screwdriver to tighten it. Don't be lazy; safety comes first. When driving, following the rules is always the safest approach. Additionally, after installing the official plate on your new car, check if the license plate light is working—it makes your car more visible at night and helps avoid rear-end collisions or other accidents. Get used to the new plate early, and you'll drive with peace of mind.
As a young driver who just got my license, I think this is pretty straightforward: new license plates must be installed immediately. Our driving instructors always emphasized that plates are like a car's ID card—temporary plates are just a transition, but once the official ones arrive, they should be put on. I remember a friend of mine tried delaying it once and ended up being pulled over by the police on the highway, questioned for ages, and nearly fined 200 yuan—what a hassle! Nowadays, with dash cams everywhere, failing to replace plates as required could trigger a notification if caught on camera. Even if the temporary plate's validity hasn't expired, laws can change in a flash. Just find some time to install them yourself—it's super easy, with tutorial videos online showing how to align and screw them in place. After installation, check the reflection under car lights to ensure clear visibility. Don’t risk big trouble to save minor hassle—safe driving isn’t just for you, but for everyone else on the road too.
