What is the penalty for driving with an expired temporary license plate?

[StJackson]

Driving with an expired temporary license plate results in 12 demerit points and corresponding fines. Below are the relevant details: Relevant regulations: According to Article 90 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, if a motor vehicle driver violates the road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic regulations, they shall be given a warning or corresponding fines. For motor vehicles driven on the road without displaying a motor vehicle license plate, without affixing the inspection compliance mark, insurance mark, or without carrying the vehicle registration certificate and driver's license, the traffic management department of the public security organ shall detain the motor vehicle, notify the party to provide the corresponding license plate, mark, or complete the relevant procedures, and may impose penalties.

[EmilianoLynn]

I totally get it! Last month, my cousin was so excited about his new car that he drove it on an expired temporary license plate for three days to go on a countryside trip. As soon as he left the city, he was pulled over by traffic police. He got 9 points deducted on the spot, fined 200 yuan, and worst of all, his car was towed away. Later, it took him two days to go to the DMV to pay the fine, reapply for a temporary license plate, and even pay the towing fee. Just a heads-up for everyone: stick the temporary license plate on the windshield and set a phone alarm three days in advance as a reminder. If it does expire accidentally, definitely call a tow truck—don’t risk driving it on the road.

[StAnna]

As a rideshare driver with ten years of experience, I often hear passengers discussing this. Driving with an expired temporary license plate is treated the same as driving without a license plate. If caught by traffic cameras, it results in a 9-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine per offense, which is more severe than running a red light. Once, while picking up a passenger at the airport, I witnessed an unlicensed Tesla being pulled over by traffic police. The owner claimed the temporary plate had expired just an hour earlier, but they were still penalized. The biggest hassle is that the vehicle gets impounded and must be towed to a parking lot—you can only retrieve it after completing the necessary procedures. My advice is to have the 4S dealership handle the license plate registration when buying a new car—it saves a lot of trouble.

[VanSienna]

I accompanied a friend to deal with a similar violation. At that time, his temporary license plate had expired for two days when he went to the DMV to register his car, and he was checked at the entrance. The traffic police reviewed the vehicle registration certificate and purchase invoice but didn't impound the car. However, they still issued a ticket deducting 9 points and imposing a 200-yuan fine. The staff mentioned that under normal circumstances, the car should have been impounded, so he was lucky. Later, we found the penalty basis on the 12123 APP: 'Driving a motor vehicle without a license plate.' A suggestion for future car owners: You can apply for the official license plate three days before the temporary one expires—don't delay. If it does expire, it's better to take a taxi to the DMV rather than drive there.

[RyleeDella]

A newbie who just experienced this is here to share the story! Last Friday after work, I realized my temporary license plate had expired. Thinking the vehicle management office wouldn't be open over the weekend, I took a chance and drove for two days. On Monday morning rush hour, I got caught by traffic police. The penalty ticket read '9 points deducted and 200 yuan fine,' but what hurt more was the follow-up: queuing for two hours at the traffic police station to handle the violation, then spending half a day at the vehicle management office to get a new temporary plate. A repair shop owner gave me a tip: You can drive until 24:00 on the expiration day of the temporary plate, but it's illegal after midnight. Now I set three phone reminders: one week before expiration, three days before, and on the day itself.

[Brandon]

Over the years in the auto trade industry, I've seen too many customers suffer losses. One customer drove to register their vehicle on the fifth day after the temporary license expired, got checked at the highway entrance, resulting in 9 points deducted and a 200 yuan fine, not to mention the car being impounded for 'failing to display license plates as required.' The process was particularly cumbersome: first, go to the traffic police station to get a vehicle release form, pay the fine and towing fee (50 yuan daily parking fee), and finally, hire a driver to take the car to the DMV. Here are two tips: first, check the expiration date noted in the small print on the second line of the temporary license; second, download the 12123 APP, which will send reminders when the temporary license is about to expire after binding the vehicle. When buying a car, remember to have the salesperson note the temporary license date in the contract's remarks section.