What is the difference between a 9-seater blue license plate and a 9-seater yellow license plate?
4 Answers
The differences between a 9-seater blue license plate and a 9-seater yellow license plate are as follows: 1. Applicable vehicle types: Blue license plates are for small vehicles, while yellow license plates are for medium and large passenger and cargo vehicles. 2. Driver's license: A Class C driver's license is sufficient to drive a blue license plate vehicle, while a Class B driver's license is required for a yellow license plate vehicle. 3. Highway tolls: Due to their larger size and weight, yellow license plate vehicles generally incur higher tolls than blue license plate vehicles. 4. Traffic restrictions: Yellow license plate vehicles are usually subject to time-based traffic restrictions in urban areas and may require a special permit, while blue license plate vehicles are generally exempt from such restrictions. 5. Annual inspection: Yellow license plate vehicles typically require an operation permit and must undergo an annual inspection, whereas blue license plate vehicles can be inspected every two years. 6. Operation permit: Blue license plate vehicles generally do not need an operation permit unless there is an operational requirement, while yellow license plate vehicles must obtain one; otherwise, they cannot be driven on the road.
When driving a 9-seater vehicle, I chose the blue license plate because it's more convenient and cost-effective. Blue-plated vehicles are classified as small passenger cars, primarily for non-commercial use, such as family minivans or business vehicles. They only require a C1 driver's license to operate, and their insurance and taxes are cheaper. In contrast, yellow license plates are typically used for large buses or commercial vehicles with more seats. However, if a 9-seater uses a yellow plate, it likely indicates commercial passenger transport, which demands higher-level licenses like B1 or above. Additionally, yellow-plated vehicles require frequent annual inspections at the DMV and face more restrictions, such as being banned from city centers in some areas. Since I often drive short distances, blue-plated vehicles offer greater flexibility, lower fuel and toll costs, and easier parking without worrying about roadside inspections. Yellow plates would mean higher expenses—double the insurance premiums—and a higher risk of overload fines. Unless you genuinely need commercial operations, blue plates are the best choice for ordinary families and small businesses, saving both money and time.
I'm a small business owner with a 9-seater vehicle mainly used for business receptions. The difference between blue and yellow license plates is significant. Blue plates are suitable for non-commercial use, like family transportation, with simpler driving requirements—just a C1 driver's license suffices. However, yellow plates are stricter, requiring a B1 license and much higher costs: insurance and annual inspection fees double, and the license application process is more complicated, involving multiple trips to the traffic police station. Commercial vehicles often opt for yellow plates because they're mandatory for formal passenger transport, but they come with many hassles, such as urban traffic restrictions and highway tolls sometimes calculated at bus rates, driving up costs. Personally, unless long-distance transport or tourism services are necessary, blue plates are more cost-effective, saving both money and hassle.
According to regulations, the main difference between 9-seater blue and yellow license plates lies in their usage. Blue plates are for small non-commercial vehicles, drivable with a C1 license; yellow plates are for large or commercial vehicles, with seating over 9 seats mandating yellow plates, but 9-seaters used commercially also require yellow plates. This means driving a yellow-plated vehicle requires a B1 license, with higher costs: difficult license plate applications, expensive insurance, and frequent annual inspections. Yellow plates face more urban traffic restrictions.
