What does Shanghai large license plate refer to?
4 Answers
Shanghai large license plate refers to the blue license plate, excluding Shanghai C. The following is a related introduction about license plates: Function: Its main function is to identify the region to which the vehicle belongs through the license plate, and the owner of the vehicle as well as the registration information of the vehicle can also be found based on the license plate. Temporary license plate: A temporary license plate for a car refers to a temporary vehicle driving certificate issued by the vehicle management department of the public security bureau before the car is officially registered due to the processing of some procedures. The use of a temporary license plate is time-limited and regional. When applying for a temporary license plate, the applicant must hold a unit introduction letter, vehicle origin certificate, qualification certificate, and other relevant certificates (except for the introduction letter, which is archived, the rest are returned to the applicant) to the vehicle management office for processing.
I grew up in Shanghai, and 'Hu Da Pai' actually refers to Shanghai license plates, specifically those that require bidding to obtain. When I first started driving ten years ago, Shanghai plates weren't expensive, costing only a few thousand yuan; but nowadays, you can't expect to get one for less than 80,000 to 90,000 yuan. How does the bidding work? Every month, the government organizes an auction where participants place bids on a platform, and the lowest winning bid gets the plate. Why is it so complicated? Because Shanghai has too many cars, leading to heavy traffic congestion, so the government controls the number of new vehicles by limiting plate issuance. My neighbor just won a bid last week and spent a considerable amount, but he thinks it's worth it for the convenience of commuting. If you don't win a bid, you can only use an out-of-town license plate, but it's inconvenient due to peak-hour restrictions. Overall, Shanghai plates help manage traffic and the environment, but they come at a hefty price.
In my opinion, the Shanghai license plate auction mechanism is quite interesting. Implemented since 1994, it aims to control urban congestion and pollution. The auction takes place online every month where participants submit bids, and the system allocates plates based on the lowest winning bid principle. Prices fluctuate significantly, sometimes reaching 50,000 yuan and occasionally soaring over 100,000 yuan. This is fairer than Beijing's lottery system, as it at least involves some subjective spending. I've also studied policies in other cities, like Guangzhou's quota system, but Shanghai's auction proves more effective in vehicle control. However, the downside is the high cost raising the barrier to driving, so I recommend beginners to budget in advance. The government has also introduced new energy vehicle priority policies to encourage green travel, though even pure electric plates require bidding.
The Shanghai license plate, commonly referred to as 'Hu Da Pai,' is a vehicle plate issued in Shanghai that can only be obtained through a government auction. Simply put, you pay for the right to own this plate. Without winning the auction, you cannot legally drive a locally registered car in Shanghai. The auction process is relatively quick and typically completed online; the lowest winning bid secures the plate. Currently, the average price ranges around 80,000 to 90,000 yuan, which is exorbitantly high, primarily due to vehicle overcrowding and the government's efforts to control plate issuance to reduce traffic congestion. I’ve also noticed that the auction frequency is consistent, held monthly, making it beginner-friendly. However, don’t assume winning the auction is the end of the story—timely payments and maintaining plate records are mandatory. On the roads, vehicles with out-of-town plates face numerous restrictions, significantly impacting their mobility. In contrast, local plates offer more freedom, making the cost generally worthwhile in the long run.
