What are the requirements for obtaining a Shanghai Blue C license plate for motorcycles?
3 Answers
Shanghai license plate requirements: As long as you have a Shanghai household registration, you can obtain a license plate. However, the vehicle management office does not issue new quotas. You must either use your existing license plate quota, obtain one by scrapping an old vehicle that already has a license plate, or acquire it through a personal transfer. The permitted driving area is the entire city (except for certain areas such as the 'Three Horizontals and Three Verticals' and Lujiazui). Additional information: 1. Introduction: Blue plate vehicles refer to cars with blue license plates, typically featuring white characters and white borders on a blue background. 2. Overview: Small vehicle license plates have white characters and white borders on a blue background. Vehicles with a total weight below 4,500 kg (excluding), seating capacity (excluding the driver) below 20 people (excluding), and body length below 6 meters (excluding) are eligible for this type of license plate. Blue plates are designated for small motor vehicles.
I found the conditions for obtaining a Shanghai motorcycle blue C license plate quite specific. The blue C plate is for lightweight motorcycles, specifically those with an engine displacement below 50cc, and you can only ride them in suburban areas outside the outer ring road. Before applying, you need to participate in a license plate quota auction or lottery, which is quite a complicated process and often hard to secure. You must have a Shanghai household registration or a valid residence permit, and the vehicle must meet emission standards, either China III or China IV. I think the most annoying part is the restricted zones—accidentally entering the urban area can result in hefty fines, and the quota fee itself can be tens of thousands. That's why many people are switching to electric bikes; they're cheaper and more convenient, though motorcycles still offer more excitement. Overall, it's best to consult an agent or go directly to the vehicle management office to handle this, rather than trying to figure it out yourself. Make sure to bring all required documents, like your ID card and purchase invoice.
Speaking of Shanghai Blue C license plates, I've ridden motorcycles for several years and have deep feelings about it. To apply for a Blue C plate, you must choose a light motorcycle under 50cc that meets emission standards, and it can only be ridden in suburban areas. The license plate quota requires participating in auctions or lotteries, and I had to wait half a year to get mine. The process is cumbersome, with piles of forms to fill out and quite a bit of money to pay. The restricted zones are a headache—if friends invite you to eat in the city center, you can only take a taxi. After emission upgrades, older bikes might not pass inspections, so it's better to pick a newer one when buying to save trouble. Talking with friends about this, everyone complains about the limited quotas and rising prices, suggesting to keep an eye on the Shanghai Traffic APP for updates in advance. Motorcycles are convenient and fuel-efficient, but safety comes first—always wear a helmet on the road.
