What does a black license plate on a car mean?
2 Answers
Black license plates are used for diplomatic vehicles. Here is the relevant information: 1. Issuance scope: The issuance scope includes foreign enterprises (including enterprises from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan), foreign and international organizations stationed in China, vehicles purchased by foreigners in their personal names for driving in China, vehicles entering from Hong Kong, Macau (Taiwan), and foreign countries, as well as temporary license plates for vehicles temporarily seized by customs or confidential institutions. 2. Police vehicles: The license plate style for public security police vehicles is [Province·A1234 Police], where 'Police' is in red characters and the rest are in black characters, totaling 4 digits, with the same meaning as ordinary license plates; court police vehicle license plates are [Province·AA123 Police].
Small cars with black license plates refer to those small passenger vehicles that use black plates, typically designated for use by foreigners or compatriots from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Having driven on the road for over twenty years, I’ve seen quite a few of these vehicles. I remember once being stuck in a traffic jam on the highway, with a black-plated car driving leisurely ahead of me—later, through conversation, I learned it was a vehicle from a foreign embassy. Most black-plated cars are imported or have special status, requiring additional documentation during registration. On the road, extra caution is needed around them, as their drivers may not be fully familiar with local traffic rules, increasing the risk of minor collisions. Additionally, their annual inspection processes differ, often with more tax exemptions. Overall, when encountering black-plated cars, it’s best to maintain politeness and distance—safety first.
