What does the loss of a license plate mean?
3 Answers
The loss of a license plate refers to the situation where the license plate has been damaged and needs to be replaced. Once a motor vehicle's license plate is lost, missing, or damaged, it is necessary to reapply for a replacement. When replacing a lost license plate, the original number will not be changed, and the original number will continue to be used. Below is relevant information about the loss of a license plate: 1. When discovering that a motor vehicle's license plate is missing, the owner must bring their vehicle registration certificate and property certificate to the vehicle management office for replacement. The office will handle the replacement based on the actual situation, and the owner will be issued a temporary license plate for use during the replacement period. Temporary license plates issued by traffic authorities are generally valid for only one month, requiring the owner to reapply each month with a fee each time. 2. The vehicle management office will review the submitted documents and credentials, and retrieve any undamaged or missing license plates. The replacement of the vehicle registration certificate will be processed from the day of application, and the license plate will typically be replaced within 15 days from the date of application, with the original number remaining unchanged. For replacing license plates issued in other regions, the owner must go to the issuing vehicle management office to process the replacement, and may first need to obtain a certificate from the local police station.
Losing a license plate simply means the plate can't be found—maybe it fell off, was stolen, or got damaged in an accident. It's not just about missing a piece of metal; it's like your car losing its ID. I remember Uncle Zhang in my neighborhood saying his plate was washed away in heavy rain, and he was frantic. You need to apply for a replacement immediately by bringing your ID card and vehicle registration to the DMV, filling out an application, and paying a 50-yuan fee. While waiting for the new plate, remember to get a temporary one—driving without a plate counts as intentionally concealing it, which means a 9-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine. Another risk is if your plate is picked up by criminals for cloning, you could end up with a pile of fines and disputes.
As an experienced driver, I've seen many cases of lost license plates. Most often, the plates get washed away when vehicles drive through water, and sometimes they're stolen by thieves. Newly purchased used cars are particularly vulnerable because the mounting holes are loose. The car wash owner last time said to handle this situation in two steps: first, call 110 to report and register (especially when stolen) to prevent others from misusing your plate; then go to the DMV for a replacement, which usually takes about three days. An important tip is to keep the vehicle registration in the car, otherwise if you lose the plate and can't remember the document number, the paperwork becomes much harder. During the replacement period, never drive without plates - it's better to take taxis for a few days.
