Why Do Some Small Cars Have Black License Plates?

[VonEzra]

Black license plates are used for diplomatic vehicles, and some foreign-funded enterprises also have them. The conditions for obtaining a black license plate are as follows: Foreign, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan merchants who invest a certain amount in establishing businesses in the mountainous areas of Guangdong Province, or a specified amount in non-mountainous areas, may be permitted to register one Hong Kong private car for entry and exit to mainland China during the contract period. Those investing a specified amount in Guangdong Province may be permitted to register one Macau private car for entry and exit to mainland China during the contract period. Foreign, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan merchants investing in Guangdong Province through intellectual property or high-tech methods may apply under the standards of the first and second clauses. Foreign, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan merchants investing in China through investment companies, which in turn invest in Guangdong Province, may also apply under the first and second clauses. Foreign financial institutions (excluding representative offices) established in Guangdong Province with investments reaching the specified amount may be permitted to register one Macau private car for entry and exit to mainland China. The procedure for obtaining a black license plate is as follows: The reception desk verifies the agent's authorization and the identification of both the principal and the agent, checks the submitted documents, and if compliant, enters the company name and Hong Kong/Macau vehicle license plate number into the computer, establishes preliminary file information, and issues an "Acceptance Receipt" to the agent. For applications from the Guangdong International Relations Research Office, public security organs, or state security organs for private cars entering and exiting mainland China, the documents are submitted to the bureau leadership for approval after receipt. Non-compliant applications are rejected. If documents are suspected of forgery or alteration, the names are added to a blacklist database after leadership approval. Based on the application content, the reception desk enters the Hong Kong/Macau vehicle and driver information into the computer and forwards it to the review desk. The review desk verifies the documents and computer records, and if compliant, forwards them to the business leadership desk. The business leadership desk reviews the documents in accordance with the monthly quota for private cars entering and exiting mainland China, checks the computer records, and if compliant, forwards them to the license management desk for certificate issuance. Non-compliant applications are rejected. If documents are suspected of forgery or alteration, the names are added to a blacklist database after leadership approval.

[McHarper]

I've been repairing cars for over ten years, and black license plates on small cars are quite common. They are mainly used for vehicles of foreign-funded enterprises or foreign institutions, such as cars of overseas companies' representative offices in China. These plates represent a special status, granting certain privileges like tax-free imported cars. Initially designed to facilitate the management of foreign vehicles, I've seen many of these cars in the shop for maintenance, still bearing their unique markings. Additionally, vehicles from Hong Kong and Macau entering the mainland might also have temporary black plates, though this is less common. Nowadays, with the rise of new energy green plates, black plates seem a bit old-fashioned. However, they pose no safety issues—they're just an identity marker.

[LeBradley]

I often drive to work and wander around the streets of big cities. Those black license plate cars are quite eye-catching, mostly used by multinational companies or embassies/consulates. I guess it's because policies allow them to use black plates to distinguish them from regular vehicles, making it easier for customs or traffic police to quickly identify special groups. The benefits might include exemptions from certain import taxes or parking fees, but I'm not entirely sure. Nowadays, there seem to be fewer of them on the road, probably because more people are driving new energy vehicles. It's just a symbol and doesn't affect driving performance, but as a driver, I tend to pay a bit more attention when I see one, keeping a safe distance since there might be foreign nationals behind the wheel.

[VonRyan]

Having worked in a multinational company for several years, I understand that black license plate cars are mainly used by executives of foreign-funded enterprises or personnel of foreign institutions in China. They are authorized by the government with black license plates to distinguish their status, such as tax exemption and simplified procedures. In fact, it is a policy tool to attract investment. Our company has several cars with black license plates for receiving clients, which feels quite prestigious but comes with high maintenance costs. In the future, this trend might be diluted by the green license plate new energy vehicles, but it won't disappear completely. It represents an international urban atmosphere.

[Jerry]

As a young car enthusiast, I've researched that black license plates originated last century for easier management of foreign vehicles. Nowadays, small cars with black plates mostly symbolize the dedicated vehicle status of foreign-funded enterprises, sometimes enjoying tariff exemptions (though we won't delve into details). Spotting them on the road evokes nostalgia, as green plates have become more common with the rise of new energy vehicles. Black plates now appear rare but harmless, simply reminding us that vehicle culture is evolving - no need to tense up at the sight of black plates.