Can Out-of-Town Vehicles Enter the Second Ring Road After Obtaining a Beijing Entry Permit?

[DelCaleb]

Out-of-town vehicles with a Beijing entry permit are not allowed to enter the main roads of the Second Ring Road at any time of the day. However, the auxiliary roads of the Second Ring Road and the sections under its overpasses are not subject to these restrictions. If driving an out-of-town licensed passenger vehicle to areas around the Second Ring Road, you can normally travel on the auxiliary roads as long as you avoid the morning and evening peak hours on weekdays and the periods affected by the tail number restrictions. To apply for a Beijing entry permit, you need to bring your driver's license and the vehicle's registration certificate to the application points. These permits can be obtained at the entry toll stations of major highways and workstations at the entry points of national highways into Beijing. The short-term Beijing entry permit is valid for 7 days and is suitable for out-of-town vehicles entering Beijing for short stays or transit purposes.

[LaCarter]

I drive to and from work on the Second Ring Road every day, so I'm very familiar with this area. Even if out-of-town vehicles have obtained a Beijing entry permit, there are still restrictions—the Second Ring Road main lanes are off-limits to out-of-town vehicles 24/7, and this rule is strictly enforced. Last time, my neighbor drove an out-of-town licensed car to Peking Union Medical College Hospital and circled three times without being able to enter, eventually having to find parking outside the Second Ring Road. During peak hours in the morning and evening, even driving within the Fifth Ring Road is prohibited, let alone the Second Ring Road. The best approach is to check the route in advance; the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau's official website has detailed maps marking restricted zones. If you really need to enter the city for errands, it's advisable to park at a subway station and transfer, to avoid fines and wasted time.

[LolaMarie]

I'm a long-distance truck driver who travels in and out of Beijing every week. Even with a Beijing entry permit, the Second Ring Road is strictly off-limits for non-local vehicles. Last winter, I tried taking a shortcut via the Second Ring Road auxiliary lane after delivering goods and ended up getting caught twice for traffic violations—the points deducted and fines were heartbreaking. Now I've learned my lesson: either take the detour via the outer Fifth Ring Road or simply avoid rush hours. A reminder to everyone: Chang'an Avenue and its extensions are also off-limits all day. Sometimes navigation might lead you to restricted sections, so stay extra vigilant.

[DeBella]

When I first got my driver's license, I made this mistake thinking that with the Beijing Entry Permit, I could drive anywhere without restrictions. However, I was stopped by traffic police under Jianguomen Bridge and was lectured for quite a while before realizing that the Second Ring Road is off-limits to non-local vehicles 24/7. Here are some key points for new drivers to note: First, pay attention to the no-entry signs—they're very noticeable with a red circle on a white background. Second, remember the restricted hours—non-local vehicles within the Fifth Ring Road must follow the odd-even license plate rule from 9 AM to 5 PM daily. Third, make good use of mobile apps to check restricted areas in real-time. Nowadays, when I go to Xidan, I obediently park my car outside the Fourth Ring and take the subway.