Why is there no Yun B?
2 Answers
The Yun B license plate belonged to Dongchuan District. Later, due to reasons such as reduced mining activities in Dongchuan, it was downgraded to a district under Kunming, hence the Yun B license plate was discontinued. Below are three methods to verify the authenticity of a license plate number: 1. Insurance verification: Retrieve a copy of the compulsory traffic insurance policy and check if the vehicle's license plate number, model, and frame number match. 2. DMV website verification: Log in to the local traffic police website or DMV website, enter the vehicle information query section, input the vehicle license plate number and frame number, and all vehicle information will be displayed, including purchase date, annual inspection date, owner's name, model, and vehicle color. 3. Violation processing office verification: Personally visit the local violation processing office (this method is the simplest, most direct, and most effective). Bring your ID card, driver's license, and vehicle registration certificate to the office, hand them to the staff, and they will assist with the verification.
I've been driving since I was young and have deep feelings about this license plate issue. Back in Yunnan, the Yun B plates were exclusive to the Dongchuan area, and old-timers like us in the local area used them. But ever since Dongchuan City was officially incorporated into Kunming in 1998, the administrative divisions changed, and the vehicle management unified under Kunming's Yun A system. New car registrations directly use Yun A because the government wanted to simplify management and avoid complications from multiple small regions. Old Yun B cars are still on the road, but naturally, you won't see them on newly purchased vehicles. Honestly, this kind of consolidation makes sense—it reduces license plate confusion, and car owners don’t have to keep renewing their documents. Talking about it, I’ve even met car owners who wanted to snatch up old Yun B plates—now it’s all ancient history. When buying a car, just remember to check the vehicle’s history.
