What to Do If Your License Plate Falls Off While Driving?
2 Answers
After losing your license plate, the first thing you should do is call the police, then file a report at the local police station in your jurisdiction. This prevents your plate from being used illegally by others, who might commit violations in your name. Applying for a replacement plate is straightforward—simply visit the vehicle management office without needing to report to the public security bureau. Here are the key points to note when replacing your license plate: In addition to your vehicle registration certificate and personal ID, make sure to bring your motor vehicle registration certificate if you have one. For company vehicles, you'll also need the organization code certificate. First, fill out a license plate replacement application form at the vehicle management office. For company vehicles, the form must be stamped with the company seal before submission. The office will then provide you with a police receipt and a temporary license plate. The temporary plate should be prominently displayed on the front windshield for police inspection. Using a temporary plate does not affect your annual vehicle inspection. If only one plate is lost, you must surrender the remaining old plate when applying for a replacement. After 30 working days, you can collect your new license plate from the vehicle management office. If the new plate has the same number as the old one, your original vehicle registration certificate remains valid and does not need to be replaced.
After noticing my license plate had fallen off, I immediately slowed down and pulled over to a safe spot, turning on the hazard lights to prevent rear-end collisions. I recalled the possible area where it might have dropped and slowly reversed to search carefully, as license plates are often found in roadside grass or sidewalks. If I couldn't find it, I promptly called the traffic service hotline 122 to report the situation, avoiding any misunderstanding by traffic police that I was intentionally driving without a plate to evade fines. To get a replacement plate, I would need to visit the local DMV with my ID and vehicle registration, typically completed within a week. For prevention, I regularly check if the license plate screws are loose, especially after bumpy roads, and tighten them to reduce such risks. While driving, I always stay alert to any sounds from the license plate—safety comes first when on the road.
