Why do some cars always use temporary license plates?
4 Answers
Some cars always use temporary license plates to avoid fines and other penalties. Here is an introduction to temporary license plates: 1. Introduction: A temporary license plate is a temporary vehicle driving permit issued by the vehicle management department of the public security authority before the car is officially registered due to certain procedures. 2. Regulations: The "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" clearly stipulates that vehicles must display license plates in accordance with regulations when driving on the road, and failure to do so will result in penalties. However, before obtaining the official license plate, the vehicle must apply for a temporary license plate in accordance with the regulations to drive on the road. 3. Conditions: New cars cannot use temporary license plates for more than 15 days, and the owner should promptly apply for an official license plate from the vehicle management authority.
My neighbor had his new car on temporary license plates for over three months, and I only found out the reason when we chatted later. At first, I thought it was because the 4S store was dragging its feet, but he admitted he just wanted to avoid traffic violation cameras for a few more days, as temporary plates make it harder for speed cameras to capture the numbers clearly. In reality, traffic authorities are now fully connected online, and every temporary plate has its own record. If you don’t replace it on time and get caught, you’ll lose 12 points directly. A friend of mine had it even worse—the imported car dealer forgot to provide the customs clearance documents, and without complete paperwork, the DMV wouldn’t issue a permanent plate at all. Hanging onto temporary plates like this is extremely risky. Insurance companies might refuse to pay out, and if an accident happens, you’ll regret it too late. My advice? It’s better to make a few extra trips to the DMV than to cut corners like this.
Last time in the car enthusiasts group chat, a post-90s guy mentioned there's a Porsche in their neighborhood that's been using temporary plates for half a year. That dude purely did it for showing off, thinking the blue-background temporary plates look cooler than regular metal plates, and it's great for bragging on social media. There's also a businessman who's even savvier, using temporary plates as a cover to frequently drive in restricted zones—he said he's not afraid of getting caught. But last week I saw him switch to regular plates; turns out traffic cops are now staking out high-end communities specifically targeting such vehicles. Actually, temporary plates are valid for a maximum of 45 days, and driving with expired ones counts as unlicensed driving if caught. I advise everyone to schedule an appointment at the DMV as soon as you get your new car—nowadays it's super convenient with just a few taps on a mobile app.
The mechanic told me that nowadays, car owners with temporary license plates mainly fall into two categories. Most young people do it for novelty, thinking temporary plates are cool like a temporary pass, but in reality, plastic plates are prone to curling edges under sun and wind, and the text can blur into a mess on rainy days, which is even more dangerous. The other group consists of bosses who buy parallel-imported cars and can only use temporary plates due to stalled customs declarations. Last month, a client's car was just two days short of the six-month limit for tax deduction eligibility, so they stubbornly waited until the invoice was issued before changing the plate. In my opinion, if you've already bought the car, don't skimp on the few hundred yuan in handling fees—professional agents can get it done in just two hours.
