To what extent does a scratched vehicle license plate need to be replaced?
3 Answers
If the license plate is severely scratched and the characters are unclear, affecting license plate recognition, it needs to be replaced promptly. The vehicle owner must remove both the damaged license plate and the undamaged one, then go to the vehicle management office to apply for a replacement. Required materials include the vehicle registration certificate, ID card, and the vehicle license plate application form (available at the vehicle management office). Follow the instructions of the vehicle management office staff to complete the process. Generally, it takes about ten working days to collect the new license plates from the vehicle management office. Determine whether replacement is necessary based on the severity of the scratches on the license plate. The surface of the license plate should be clear, neat, smooth, clean, evenly colored, and uniformly reflective, without obvious wrinkles, bubbles, particle impurities, or other defects or damage. If the scratches affect the recognition of the license plate number, being caught by traffic police may result in penalties. The specific penalty depends on the local traffic police department's decision, usually judged as "failure to maintain the integrity and clarity of the vehicle license plate," with a fine of 200 yuan and no points deducted. License plate usage precautions: When driving a motor vehicle on the road, the vehicle license plate must be displayed, along with the inspection qualification mark and insurance mark, and the vehicle registration certificate must be carried. The vehicle license plate must be displayed as required and kept clear and intact, and must not be deliberately obscured or damaged. If the license plate paint peels off, do not apply paint or touch it up yourself. Any self-applied paint or touch-up is considered deliberate damage to the license plate and is illegal.
After driving for so many years, if the license plate is severely scratched, it's time to replace it. The key factor is whether the numbers can still be clearly identified. If from a distance or in photos, the characters appear blurry or incomplete, then it's definitely time for a new plate. Not replacing it carries significant risks—getting pulled over and fined by the police is one thing, but having parking systems fail to recognize it is another hassle. I recommend carefully inspecting the license plate every month after washing the car to prevent scratches from accumulating. Replacing it is actually simple: just bring your documents to the local DMV to apply, and it won’t cost much money or time. When driving, be mindful of parking in narrow alleys to avoid scratches. The license plate is like the car’s ID—if it’s unclear, it’s as if the information guarantee is lost. For safety and convenience, it’s always better to address the issue early.
From a safety perspective, I believe license plates should be replaced if they are scratched to the point where the characters are unreadable. The law stipulates that license plates must be intact and not affect identification. After driving for a long time, I often observe others' license plates. If the scratches are deep enough to distort the numbers or break the lines, they definitely do not meet the requirements. Especially at night or during rainy weather, reduced clarity becomes even more dangerous. Not replacing them could result in fines or even other troubles. The standard is whether others can accurately read the plate from several meters away. I recommend first cleaning them with water; if they still aren't clearly visible, proceed with replacement. The process isn't complicated—just complete the necessary procedures with the relevant authorities. For daily maintenance, use a soft cloth to clean and avoid scratches to extend their lifespan.
