
China V license plates can be registered in regions where the China VI emission standard has not been implemented. Methods to identify a vehicle's emission standard are: 1. Check the environmental protection label sticker on the vehicle; 2. Examine the vehicle certification where the standard is indicated by Roman numerals - I for China I, II for China II, III for China III, IV for China IV, V for China V, and VI for China VI; 3. Use the vehicle registration certificate to check at the local vehicle management office. Taking China VI as an example, the China VIa standard specifies: 1. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 700mg of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven; 2. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 68mg of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven; 3. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 60mg of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven; 4. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 4.5mg of PM (particulate matter) per kilometer driven.

I find the topic of China V license plates quite intriguing, as I often ponder over automotive policy changes. Currently, most regions in China, including major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, have implemented the China VI-B emission standards, meaning new vehicles must comply to get licensed—China V vehicles simply can't be registered anymore. However, in remote western areas such as Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai, or small towns and rural regions, there might still be some transitional leniency, with policies at local vehicle management offices lagging slightly. A friend of mine in Gansu successfully registered a China V car last year, but I'd recommend checking your local vehicle administration's official website for the most accurate information. Environmental trends are strengthening, and while China V cars may be cheaper to buy now, reselling them later could be tough—whether it's worth it is something to weigh carefully. Opting for a China VI car might cost more upfront but saves fuel and is eco-friendly in the long run, supporting emission reduction—a virtuous act for us drivers. In short, don’t rush; gather information from multiple sources before buying to avoid unnecessary hassle.

As a commuter, I often pay attention to this. The National V license plates are really not viable in major cities anymore. For example, in our city Hangzhou, the National VI B emission standards have been strictly enforced for a long time. Remote provinces like Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Tibet might still have some loopholes, with more lenient transition policies, but don’t be too optimistic. I suggest directly buying a National VI car—it’s more reliable, fuel-efficient, and there are more subsidies for new energy vehicles. By the way, the car market changes rapidly; the phase-out of National V vehicles will accelerate, making the remaining cars more expensive and harder to sell. I think it’s safer to check local apps or ask in car owner groups rather than trusting salespeople’s empty promises that could disrupt your life.

Years of driving experience, new National V vehicles are now banned from registration in big cities, only feasible in small towns or western regions like rural Qinghai, need to check local DMV. Policies change fast, maintaining old cars is tiring, environmental protection should be supported, but considering price, National V is worth considering with tight time and location limits.


