Will there be penalties for not displaying a temporary license plate on a motorcycle?
3 Answers
There will be no penalties if you have a temporary license plate and it is within the validity period. Details are as follows: 1. Do not let it expire: The use of temporary license plates for new vehicles must not exceed 15 days. The owner should promptly apply to the vehicle management authority for a formal license plate. After expiration, penalties may include temporary vehicle seizure, a fine of 200 yuan, and a deduction of 12 points. 2. Temporary license plates: These are paper motor vehicle license plates that allow temporary road use of motor vehicles, also known as temporary driving license plates. They are temporary vehicle driving certificates issued by the public security vehicle management department for newly purchased vehicles before formal registration. 3. Four types of plates: The validity period of temporary license plates generally does not exceed 30 days. There are four types: temporary license plates for administrative jurisdictions, temporary license plates for cross-administrative jurisdictions, temporary license plates for testing purposes, and temporary license plates for special-type motor vehicles.
I heard that not displaying a motorcycle's temporary license plate can indeed result in penalties, as traffic regulations clearly state that all vehicles in operation must visibly display valid license plates. If caught without one, you may be fined on the spot, typically around 200 yuan, and could also face demerit points. A friend of mine once made this mistake, thinking the temporary plate wasn't important, and ended up not only paying a fine but also having to deal with the ticket, which was quite a hassle. Temporary plates are meant for the transition period, usually with a short validity, and must be prominently displayed at the rear of the vehicle—don't hide it under the seat or forget to put it on. In short, for peace of mind and safety, it's best to check before each ride that the plate is properly displayed to avoid unnecessary losses. If you accidentally forget, contact the vehicle management office as soon as possible to get a replacement—don't delay.
From my personal experience, not displaying a temporary motorcycle license plate will definitely result in a fine. Once I was in a hurry to go out and forgot to put on the temporary plate. I was stopped by traffic police halfway and fined 150 yuan, plus a lengthy lecture. It's not just about the money; more importantly, it affects driving safety. The police explained that without a plate, the bike could easily be mistaken for stolen, increasing the risk of accidents. I suggest new owners attach their temporary plates immediately upon receiving them—don’t be lazy like I was. Stick it in a visible spot, like the rear windshield or the tail of the bike. Also, check the plate during routine maintenance to save hassle later. Remember, don’t take chances—police patrol frequently, and the odds of getting caught are high.
