Where to Place Temporary License Plates?
2 Answers
Two temporary license plates should be affixed simultaneously. One should be placed in the upper right corner of the front windshield inside the vehicle, ensuring it does not obstruct the driver's view and is not covered by the compulsory insurance label. The other should be affixed to the upper left corner of the rear windshield inside the vehicle. Regulations for using temporary license plates: Usage period: Temporary license plates have a validity period, which should not exceed 30 days in general, and no more than 15 days for new cars. Therefore, it is necessary to apply for official license plates from the vehicle management authority within this period. Driving with an expired temporary license plate may result in the vehicle being impounded, a fine of 200 yuan, and 12 penalty points. Regional restrictions: In addition to time limits, temporary license plates also have regional restrictions. Local temporary plates can only be used within the issuing region. If you frequently drive long distances or across regions, it is recommended to use cross-regional temporary license plates.
Temporary license plates should be placed in a visible yet non-obstructive location inside the car. When I last bought a new car, the staff at the 4S store explained it clearly: place one on the lower right corner of the front windshield’s interior and another on the lower left corner of the rear windshield’s interior, so that the police can spot them at a glance. Why this arrangement? Mainly due to legal requirements: for instance, domestic regulations mandate that they must be affixed to designated interior corners—never outside, where wind and rain could cause them to peel and obscure the plate number. In my younger days, I made the mistake of tossing the temporary plate onto the dashboard, only for it to flutter up while driving on the highway, nearly causing an accident. I was fined 200 yuan by traffic police and have since learned to secure it firmly with clear double-sided tape. Remember, after buying a car, don’t rush to hit the road—first find reliable tape to fix the plates properly. Positioning them correctly saves a lot of hassle. This also ties into validity periods: temporary plates generally must be replaced with permanent ones within 15 days, so don’t get so caught up in driving that you forget. Overall, doing it right helps avoid unnecessary roadside inspections or towing incidents.