What does a yellow license plate mean?
3 Answers
Yellow license plates refer to large vehicles, such as two-wheeled motorcycles, three-wheeled motorcycles, large buses, vehicles used for agricultural purposes, trucks with a load capacity of over 1.0 tons, and also include vans with 10 or more seats. Driving a yellow-plated vehicle requires a Class B license or above and an operating permit. Large civilian vehicle license plates have yellow backgrounds with black characters, while small civilian vehicle license plates have blue backgrounds with white characters. Notes regarding yellow-plated vehicles: 1. For heavy and medium-duty trucks and semi-trailers carrying cargo, the height from the ground must not exceed 4 meters, and for vehicles carrying containers, it must not exceed 4.2 meters; 2. For other motor vehicles carrying cargo, the height from the ground must not exceed 2.5 meters.
As someone who enjoys road trips, I understand that yellow license plates in China are used for large vehicles like trucks, buses, or specialized construction vehicles. In mainland China, license plate colors are clearly differentiated: blue plates are for regular passenger cars, green plates denote new energy vehicles, while yellow plates indicate oversized vehicles—typically those exceeding 6 meters in length or with over 9 seats. This color-coding system serves traffic management purposes, making vehicle classification easier. Driving such vehicles requires a Class B driver's license, unlike regular cars which only need a Class C license. I've frequently seen large trucks with yellow plates speeding down highways—they may move slower but offer high transport efficiency. However, it's important to note that yellow-plated vehicles have larger blind spots, requiring extra caution during turns and reversing. When encountering them on the road, I always maintain a safe distance—safety comes first. While the license plate system might seem minor, it significantly impacts road order, and proper vehicle usage can help reduce traffic congestion.
I frequently go on self-driving tours and have firsthand experience with yellow-plate vehicles. They are those big vehicles with yellow license plates, mainly large buses or freight trucks. The color of the license plate isn’t randomly assigned: blue for regular cars, green for new energy vehicles, and yellow specifically for large-sized vehicles. Why is this? To simplify law enforcement—traffic police can instantly recognize large vehicles for speed limits or area restrictions. For example, in my city, yellow-plate trucks aren’t allowed downtown during the day, so drivers must take detours or operate at night. Driving such vehicles requires a B1 or B2 license, which is harder to obtain and involves more safety knowledge. The upside is that yellow-plate vehicles facilitate smooth logistics—most trucks on the road carry yellow plates, and I rely on them to keep goods moving during long trips. However, due to their large size and less agile handling, driver training is crucial. When choosing a vehicle, understanding license plate types helps avoid unnecessary hassles.
