What are the penalties for obscuring a vehicle's license plate?
3 Answers
If a motor vehicle is not displaying its license plate, the traffic management department of the public security organ shall detain the vehicle and notify the party to provide the corresponding plate and markings. Driving a motor vehicle on the road without displaying its license plate, or intentionally obscuring, defacing, or not installing the license plate as required, will result in a deduction of 12 points. Intentionally obscuring or defacing a license plate will result in a fine and a deduction of 6 points.
Last time when I helped a friend deal with a traffic violation, I paid special attention to the penalties for covering license plates. This situation is considered intentional concealment of motor vehicle license plates. According to current traffic regulations, it results in a one-time deduction of 12 points and a fine ranging from 200 to 5,000 yuan, with the exact amount depending on the traffic police's discretion. Losing all 12 points is particularly troublesome as it requires retaking the theoretical exam (Subject 1) with a mandatory study period of at least seven days. Not to mention the risk of failing the annual vehicle inspection. More importantly, some people use stickers or dust to evade surveillance cameras, but if caught, authorities may also investigate previous violations—definitely not worth the trouble. I've seen several drivers who temporarily covered their license plates end up deeply regretting it. So my advice is: never try these tricks, as the consequences if caught are far too costly.
As someone who frequently drives long distances on highways, I pay special attention to traffic regulation changes. Nowadays, the penalty for obscuring license plates is quite severe—an immediate 12-point deduction plus a fine exceeding 200 yuan. This means your driver's license is instantly invalidated, requiring you to retake the written test at the DMV. Driving during this learning period constitutes unlicensed operation, and getting caught again could lead to 15 days of detention. Last year, a young man in our fleet deliberately smeared mud on his rear license plate, only to be stopped at a highway checkpoint. Besides the fine and point deduction, it also affected his vehicle insurance discounts for the entire year. Truthfully, none of the excuses for obscuring plates hold water—whether evading cameras or circumventing traffic restrictions, the cost of breaking the law far outweighs any perceived benefits. Driving honestly and keeping license plates clearly visible is what matters most.
