To what extent must a damaged license plate be replaced with a new one?
2 Answers
Motor vehicle license plates must be replaced if they are struck or scratched by hard objects, or if the background color or character color has significantly faded due to traffic accidents, sun exposure, or other reasons, resulting in inconsistent reflectivity of the characters or uneven reflectivity of the background color. Additionally, replacement is required if the mounting holes of the license plate are damaged, if there is any other physical or chemical damage, or if the vehicle registration number is incomplete, affecting the identification of the license plate. Below is relevant information about replacing damaged motor vehicle license plates: 1. Original and photocopy of the vehicle owner's identity proof. 2. The damaged or remaining part of the license plate must be recovered if it is not completely lost or missing.
I've been driving a taxi for ten years, and it's actually quite common to need to replace license plates. Generally speaking, if the license plate is severely damaged—such as numbers being worn down and unreadable, cracks large enough to affect the overall shape, or if it's warped and shaky—then it definitely needs replacement. Like last time, I encountered a passenger whose license plate was cracked from a collision, with half the numbers blurred, and the police fined them upon inspection. Minor scratches are no big deal, as long as the plate is recognizable from a distance. Getting a new plate is simple—just visit the vehicle management office and pay a small fee. Don’t delay, or you might fail the next inspection. Also, blurred license plates are even more dangerous when driving in rain or at night, as they can easily lead to accidents. Everyone should take a few extra glances at their license plates during car maintenance and address any issues early—it saves money and brings peace of mind.