What to Do If the Temporary License Plate Expires?
4 Answers
If the temporary license plate expires, you can apply for another temporary license plate at the vehicle management authority. At the same time, it is necessary to promptly apply for a formal license plate. Each vehicle can apply for a temporary license plate up to three times. If you continue to drive on the road after the temporary license plate expires, it is considered a traffic violation. The traffic police department will impose a fine on the driver and temporarily impound the vehicle. Conditions for applying for a temporary license plate: 1. When driving the vehicle from the place of purchase to the place of use, you need to apply for a temporary license plate at the vehicle management office in the place of purchase. 2. When transferring the vehicle registration and the formal license plate has been surrendered, you need to apply for a temporary license plate at the local vehicle management office to drive back to the original location. 3. For a new vehicle in the local area that has not yet obtained a formal license plate and needs to be driven to another location for modification, you need to apply for a temporary license plate locally. After the modification is completed, apply for a temporary license plate at the local vehicle management office to drive back to the original area.
If your temporary license plate expires, I remember once I overlooked the date and almost got fined. You must stop driving immediately because driving with an expired temporary plate is illegal. If pulled over by the police, you could receive an on-the-spot ticket with fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of yuan, plus points deducted from your license. Worse, in case of an accident, the insurance company might deny your claim. I suggest contacting the DMV or dealership right away—ask if you can renew the temporary plate or just get a permanent one. Some places allow a grace period of a few days after expiration, but don’t count on it lasting long; temporary plates usually only last 30 days. When handling this, prepare your vehicle registration certificate and purchase invoice to avoid wasted trips. Also, next time you buy a car, set a phone reminder to check the date—develop good habits to avoid repeating mistakes. Safety first: park until resolved, don’t take risks.
I've seen many cases of expired temporary license plates. Friends often forget and end up suffering in silence. The best move is to stop driving immediately and keep the car safely parked at home. Driving with an expired temporary plate can lead to checks, with penalties ranging from fines of a few hundred yuan and points deducted to possibly having the car towed in severe cases. I usually recommend calling the vehicle management office the same day to inquire about renewal options—some cities allow online applications for a few extra days. If that's not possible, hurry to get the official plates, making sure to bring all necessary documents like ID, vehicle purchase certificate, and invoice. Temporary plates have a short validity period, so it's crucial to stay on top of it when buying a car. After learning my lesson, I always remind myself to set calendar alerts. Don’t underestimate it—expiration risks are high, wasting both time and money. Addressing it early is key, and it’s a good chance to brush up on traffic rules to avoid future issues.
If your temporary license plate expires, I've encountered a similar situation—stop driving immediately. An expired plate means it's illegal, and you could be pulled over by the police, facing a fine starting from 500 plus penalty points. The solution is simple: check your local DMV information, call or visit to inquire about renewal; if not possible, apply for a permanent plate. Prepare documents like the vehicle registration and invoice—the process can take as little as one or two days. To prevent this, regularly check the expiration date and don't be careless.
