What does a yellow license plate mean?
3 Answers
Yellow license plates generally refer to large vehicles, such as trucks weighing over 2 tons or buses (including vans with 12 or more seats). Most commercial vehicles and motorcycles also have yellow license plates. Yellow plates are used for large vehicles, two-wheeled and three-wheeled motorcycles, large passenger vehicles, and agricultural-use vehicles. For heavy and medium-duty trucks, the height of cargo from the ground must not exceed 4 meters; for container transport vehicles, it must not exceed 4.2 meters. The height of cargo carried by motor vehicles must not exceed 2.5 meters from the ground. Large trucks refer to heavy and medium-duty trucks. Heavy-duty trucks have a length of 6 meters or more and a total mass of 12,000 kg or more. Medium-duty trucks have a length of 6 meters or more and a total mass between 4,500 kg and 12,000 kg.
Oh, I've encountered this issue quite a few times. Yellow-plate vehicles refer to those with yellow license plates, which in mainland China are typically medium or large-sized trucks or buses with a total weight exceeding 4.5 tons or seating more than 9 passengers. Drivers of these vehicles are usually professionals, as they require higher-level licenses like B2 or A-class. Having driven for many years, I've seen countless yellow-plate trucks restricted from entering urban areas, forced to use outer ring roads or apply for special permits. Their massive size means huge blind spots, requiring extra caution when overtaking on highways, not to mention their voracious fuel consumption that can drain a full tank in no time. Maintenance is a hassle too, costing way more than blue-plate cars, with frequent major repairs needed for brakes or transmission systems. Urban traffic management strictly monitors yellow-plate vehicles through cameras, imposing heavy fines for overloading, so regular inspections are crucial to keep records clean. While driving these vehicles might earn more, it's far less hassle-free compared to regular cars.
Yellow-plate vehicles, commonly referred to as those with yellow license plates, are specifically designated for large commercial transport vehicles such as heavy-duty trucks or long-distance buses. Traffic regulations clearly differentiate vehicle types by color, with yellow plates indicating oversized dimensions, requiring drivers to hold a specific class of license or higher. Blue-plate passenger vehicles are much simpler in comparison. Having worked with many such commercial vehicles, I've found their management to be more cumbersome, with higher insurance costs and biannual inspections instead of the annual checks for regular cars. Their fuel consumption is staggering, and overloaded cargo poses significant risks, with frequent police inspections resulting in hefty fines that can be quite painful. Another relevant point is that yellow-plate vehicles often face urban traffic restrictions, requiring them to avoid peak-hour zones, which extends transport times. Some regions are beginning to promote new energy versions that save fuel but still lack adequate charging infrastructure, forcing drivers to carefully plan routes in advance. Overall, the yellow-plate system brings more standardization to freight transport, but places substantial pressure on drivers. I'd advise newcomers to thoroughly familiarize themselves with local regulations to avoid unnecessary trouble.
