What Type of License Plate is a Black License Plate?
3 Answers
Black license plates are designated for foreign investors and vehicles brought into the country by foreign enterprises. License plates come in various background colors, including blue, yellow, white, and black. Commonly referred to as vehicle plates, they are metal or plastic plates affixed to the front and rear of a vehicle, displaying the vehicle's registration number, region, and other relevant information. Their primary function is to identify the vehicle's registered region. The installation steps for a license plate are as follows: 1. Attach all screws and components to the fixed points for the license plate; 2. Once the plate is properly positioned, tighten all screws; 3. Align and press the cap onto the cushion block to secure it in place.
In my decades of driving experience, I've seen quite a few black license plates, usually in the style of white characters on a black background. In China, these plates are mainly used for vehicles of foreign enterprises, such as official cars of multinational or joint venture companies, or some consulate and embassy vehicles. Why black? Historically, there was a time when it was to facilitate the distinction between domestic and foreign vehicles, offering preferential treatment to foreign-invested enterprises, such as tax exemptions. Nowadays, seeing them on the road is not very common, and they feel quite special, rarely seen on ordinary private cars. I remember back in the days when I drove trucks, a colleague's company used black plates, and customs clearance checks were quicker. When these plates appear in traffic, they stand out a bit, reminding everyone that there might be foreign affairs activities, and it's best to keep a distance. In short, it's not just about the color; it's also tied to national policies.
As an ordinary office worker who frequently commutes by car in the city, I'm quite curious about vehicles with black license plates. In mainland China, black license plates with white characters are primarily assigned to vehicles of foreign enterprises or diplomatic institutions, such as consulate cars or official vehicles of large multinational corporations. They are relatively rare in daily driving, but once spotted, you know they might be somewhat special, as these vehicles enjoy certain privileges, such as different procedures when handling traffic violations or passing through checkpoints. I've seen them on the streets of Shanghai, where black-plated cars tend to drive steadily, not frequently changing lanes like regular vehicles. If you encounter one on the road, it's best not to follow too closely to avoid unnecessary trouble. Additionally, while license plate colors don't vary much—blue and green are common for private cars—the rarity of black plates serves as a reminder of our open business environment. With the increasing number of new energy license plates nowadays, black plates appear even more retro.
