What happens if you drive with an expired temporary license plate?
3 Answers
Driving with an expired temporary license plate is considered as failing to display the license plate as required by regulations. According to the law, the driver will be fined and receive 12 demerit points. Below is relevant information about temporary license plates: 1. Introduction: A temporary license plate is a paper vehicle license that permits temporary road use of motor vehicles, mainly issued by vehicle management authorities for newly purchased vehicles before official registration. 2. Relevant regulations: New vehicles using temporary license plates must not exceed 15 days, and owners should promptly apply for official license plates from vehicle management authorities. After expiration, penalties may include vehicle impoundment, fines, and demerit points. 3. Penalties: New vehicles using temporary license plates must not exceed 15 days, and owners should promptly apply for official license plates from vehicle management authorities. After expiration, penalties may include vehicle impoundment, fines, and 12 demerit points.
I usually pay attention to my car's condition, but I forgot about the expiration of the temporary license plate. Last month, I drove out to run errands and got pulled over by the police. They issued a ticket on the spot with a fine of at least two hundred dollars, and I might even get points deducted. What’s worse, my car was impounded, and I had to arrange for a tow, which wasted an entire day. Temporary plates are meant for the transition period with a new car—failing to replace them with permanent plates on time is a violation, and the police won’t go easy if they catch you. Even if no accident occurs, a blemish on your traffic record can lead to higher insurance premiums later. I recommend setting a phone reminder for the expiration date—don’t make the same mistake I did.
I'm worried about the risks of driving with an expired temporary license plate. If the car gets hit or is involved in an accident, the insurance won't cover it because the vehicle is invalid. My relative had a minor accident last year when the license plate had just expired, and the insurance company said it was 'invalid operation' and didn't pay a penny, leaving them to pay thousands out of pocket for repairs. Also, if the police catch you, fines and vehicle impoundment are minor issues compared to the impact on your credit record, which can make any future procedures troublesome. It's best to go to the DMV a week in advance to renew it. Nowadays, you can also make an appointment through an APP, saving time and effort.
