What are the requirements for obtaining a blue license plate for motorcycles in Shanghai?
3 Answers
Shanghai motorcycle blue license plate requirements are: as long as you have a Shanghai household registration, you can obtain a license plate, but the vehicle management office does not have new quotas, so you must have your own original license plate quota or obtain it from the scrapping of an old vehicle that has already been licensed, or transfer it from an individual. The driving range is the entire city (except for some areas such as the 'three horizontal and three vertical' roads and Lujiazui). Here is some additional information: Introduction: Blue license plate vehicles refer to cars with blue license plates, which are usually blue with white characters and white borders. Overview: Small car license plates are blue with white characters and white borders. Vehicles with a total weight of less than 4,500KG (excluding), seating capacity (excluding the driver) of fewer than 20 people (excluding), and a body length of less than 6 meters (excluding) are required to install this type of license plate.
As a long-time resident and veteran motorcycle owner in Shanghai, I just got my blue license plate last year. The requirements are quite clear: you must have a Shanghai local household registration or long-term residence permit to apply; non-locals need to obtain a residence permit first. Vehicle requirements are also crucial—it must be a new bike meeting China IV or higher emission standards. For second-hand vehicles purchased outside Shanghai, they must undergo transfer inspection first. The application process is handled at the vehicle management office—just bring your ID card, purchase invoice, vehicle certificate, and compulsory insurance policy. After passing the inspection, you'll pay purchase tax and license fees, totaling a few thousand yuan including insurance. Blue plates are only allowed in areas outside the outer ring road, like Pudong or Songjiang—they're banned in urban areas which is quite inconvenient. I mainly use mine for commuting but have to switch vehicles when entering the city. The whole process can be completed in half a day if everything goes smoothly. I recommend making an early appointment to avoid long queues.
As a young working professional who just got my license plate, I’ll share the simplified process. Requirements: Shanghai household registration or residence permit is mandatory; the vehicle must be a new car compliant with China IV emission standards, while used cars require proof of emission compliance. Then, head to the DMV to complete the procedures. Required documents include ID proof, purchase invoice, vehicle certification, and compulsory traffic insurance. Fees like taxes and plate costs amount to a few thousand yuan, and the vehicle inspection is a one-time pass. Blue plates are restricted to suburban areas, with urban zones off-limits—this has a big impact. Living in Baoshan is manageable, but on weekdays, I can only ride short distances. Key point: If emissions fail, the trip is wasted. I checked the exhaust in advance to save hassle. Costs are low, and it takes less than half a day. Note: Check the official website for policy updates to avoid disrupting travel plans—maintaining a regular routine is most important.
