Are non-local license plates restricted in Beijing?
2 Answers
Restrictions apply. Non-local vehicles in Beijing are subject to traffic restrictions during specific hours: 1. Passenger vehicles: Restricted during weekday morning and evening peak hours from 7:00-9:00 and 17:00-20:00 (no restrictions on weekends and public holidays); 2. Trucks: Restricted daily from 6:00-24:00. Below are the restricted areas for non-local vehicles in Beijing: 1. Weekday peak hours (7:00-9:00 and 17:00-20:00): Prohibited from driving on the main roads, auxiliary roads, and inner roads of the Fifth Ring Road. 2. Weekdays 9:00-17:00: Must comply with Beijing's odd-even license plate restrictions (same as local vehicles), with restricted areas being the main roads, auxiliary roads, and inner roads of the Fifth Ring Road. 3. Daily 6:00-22:00: The entire main road of the Second Ring Road prohibits passenger vehicles with non-Beijing license plates (including temporary plates).
I often drive to Beijing for business and am very familiar with the policy restricting non-local license plates. Vehicles with non-local plates are prohibited from entering areas within the Fifth Ring Road, including inside the Second Ring Road, during the two peak hours on weekdays: 7:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-8:00 PM. Before entering Beijing, you must apply for an Entry Permit online, which is valid for seven days; otherwise, you will be fined 100 RMB and receive 3 penalty points. Once, I was in a hurry for a meeting and drove into the restricted zone during peak hours, got stopped, fined, and delayed a lot of work. To avoid trouble, I recommend non-local drivers download the Beijing Traffic APP in advance to apply for the permit and avoid peak hours. Usually, taking the subway for long-distance trips is also quite convenient, saving time and fuel costs. This policy helps control urban congestion but indeed adds a lot of hassle to daily travel, especially when in a hurry. In short, following the rules is necessary, and planning your trip thoroughly is essential.
