What is the maximum size and length for blue license plate vehicles?
4 Answers
The largest vehicle eligible for a blue license plate is a truck with a length under 6 meters and a total weight under 4,500 kg. These typically include light-duty and mini trucks. In China, trucks are categorized into three types: light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty, based on their load capacity. The classification standards vary by country. In China, trucks with a load capacity below 3.5 tons are classified as light-duty, those between 4 to 8 tons as medium-duty, and those above 8 tons as heavy-duty. Below is an introduction to different types of license plates: 1. New energy vehicle license plates: Green background with black characters and black borders. The new energy vehicle plates feature a gradient green color, while large new energy vehicle plates combine yellow and green (the regional code part is yellow, and the number part is green). 2. Large vehicle license plates: Yellow background with black characters and black borders. These are for medium-sized (and above) passenger and cargo vehicles, special operation vehicles, semi-trailer tractors, and electric vehicles. 3. Trailer license plates: Yellow background with black characters and black borders. These are for full trailers and semi-trailers not permanently attached to a tractor. 4. Small vehicle license plates: Blue background with white characters and white borders. These are for passenger and cargo vehicles and special operation vehicles below medium size. 5. Embassy and consulate vehicle license plates: Black background with white characters and white borders. These are for vehicles of embassies and consulates in China.
I remember the maximum length for blue license plate vehicles is 6 meters, with a total weight not exceeding 4.5 tons, which is the standard under China's traffic regulations. For example, common large SUVs like the Toyota Land Cruiser or light trucks like the Great Wall Pao have lengths between 5.5 to 6 meters, just fitting the blue plate criteria. Exceeding these dimensions requires upgrading to a yellow plate, which is more expensive and troublesome. I once drove a friend's 5.8-meter pickup truck—parking in the city was a bit tight but manageable; anything larger would affect turning and safety. This restriction is mainly for urban traffic considerations, as oversized vehicles occupy more road resources and easily cause congestion. It's advisable to measure your garage dimensions before buying a vehicle to avoid incompatibility issues.
When helping others choose a car, I always remind them that the maximum size for a blue license plate vehicle is 6 meters in length, with constraints on width and height, but length is the most critical factor. For example, some vans or MPVs like the Ford Transit can qualify for a blue plate if their length is close to 6 meters. If it exceeds, like certain RVs or buses, a yellow plate is mandatory. This rule makes vehicle classification clearer. I once test-drove a 5.9-meter light truck with adequate power but relatively high fuel consumption. Size limits help reduce accidents because larger vehicles have more blind spots. In short, always check the manual when selecting a car, don’t just judge by appearance.
The maximum size limit for blue license plate vehicles is 6 meters, with a total weight not exceeding 4.5 tons. I've seen many people who want to buy a large vehicle while saving money, and they end up choosing models like the Jinbei Haise, which is about 5.7 meters long—perfectly fine for a blue license plate. Anything exceeding that requires a yellow license plate, doubling the insurance and road fees. It's advisable to check the local vehicle management standards beforehand to avoid issues during registration. Parking is another concern, as overly long vehicles may have difficulty fitting into residential parking spaces.
