What are the consequences of not licensing a vehicle?
4 Answers
It may result in the vehicle being impounded by the traffic management department of the public security authorities, with a warning or fine imposed. Below are precautions for licensing a new vehicle: 1. Although imported vehicles and some domestic cars, small and mini passenger vehicles have been included in the exemption from inspection, the range of exempt domestic car models is relatively limited. After the implementation of the new policy, all domestic cars can be exempt from inspection. The exemption applies to cars and small, mini passenger vehicles and two-wheeled motorcycles marked with "new vehicle exempt from inspection." 2. Exempt models do not include: off-road vehicles, small and mini ordinary passenger vehicles, and heavy or medium-sized trucks. 3. Exemption from inspection does not mean direct licensing. Currently, it only eliminates some inspection items. Before licensing, new vehicles must still undergo appearance inspection, photographing, and number stamping at the inspection site. Additionally, exhaust emission tests required for environmental protection purposes must still be conducted.
With over thirty years of driving experience, I can tell you that driving a new car without a license plate is just asking for trouble. On the road, police officers love to check unlicensed vehicles, and the fine starts at two to three hundred yuan. Getting caught once can lead to serious demerit points and a tarnished record, which affects future insurance renewals. I’ve personally seen a friend’s car get towed—just the towing fee and fine alone cost over a thousand yuan, and retrieving the car required queuing for paperwork, wasting both time and effort. Then there’s the insurance issue: if you hit someone while driving unlicensed, the insurance company won’t cover it, leaving you fully liable. Even refueling becomes a hassle, as major gas stations require a license plate before allowing you to fill up. In short, getting your plates on time saves money and hassle—safety first, and don’t let a small mistake turn into a big loss.
I'm a newly licensed driver who made the mistake of not changing the license plates on the family's old car. As a result, my days have been filled with anxiety. Every time I go out, I'm afraid of being stopped by the police. Once, a security guard wouldn't let me park in the mall garage, saying unlicensed vehicles are prohibited. I was once fined 200 yuan for being caught on camera, and my license was penalized with points—hurting my wallet and shaking my driving confidence. At a gathering with friends, someone mentioned how their cousin drove without plates for over half a year, only to end up paying nearly 2,000 yuan in back fees and fines. Worse, after an accident, they couldn't identify the responsible party and suffered huge losses. Their advice to new drivers like me: the first thing to do after buying a car is to register it properly, avoiding daily stress that affects your life.
The consequences of driving an unlicensed vehicle include fines starting from at least two to three hundred yuan, with towing fees potentially reaching thousands and the vehicle being impounded. You won't be able to refuel or park normally, increasing safety risks. Insurance won't cover accidents, leaving you to pay out of pocket. Delaying the issue worsens the situation, potentially requiring hefty back payments. Address the problem early to avoid worse consequences from being investigated.
