Can out-of-town vehicles leave during Beijing's traffic restriction hours?
3 Answers
Out-of-town vehicles cannot leave during Beijing's traffic restriction hours. The specific restriction times are: 1. Passenger vehicles: Weekday morning and evening peak hours from 7:00 to 9:00, and 17:00 to 20:00 (no restrictions on weekends and statutory holidays); 2. Freight vehicles: Daily from 6:00 to 24:00. Below are the restricted areas for out-of-town vehicles in Beijing: 1. Weekday peak hours from 7:00 to 9:00 and 17:00 to 20:00: Prohibited from driving on the main roads, auxiliary roads, and roads within the Fifth Ring Road. 2. Weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00: Must comply with the city's odd-even license plate restriction rules, with the same restrictions as Beijing-registered vehicles, covering the main roads, auxiliary roads, and roads within the Fifth Ring Road. 3. Daily from 6:00 to 22:00: The entire main road of the Second Ring Road is prohibited for passenger vehicles with license plates issued by other provinces, regions, or cities (including temporary plates).
I often drive from out of town to Beijing for business, so let me talk about the traffic restrictions. For non-local license plates, the restricted hours in Beijing are mainly during weekday morning rush hours from 7:00 to 9:00 and evening rush hours from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. During these times, you cannot drive within the Fifth Ring Road, including on the Fifth Ring Road itself. However, if you want to "exit" during those hours—meaning leaving Beijing or driving from the restricted area to a non-restricted area—that’s allowed. For example, if I’m outside the Fifth Ring Road and drive directly toward Hebei, there’s no problem at all. But be careful not to pass through the restricted area midway, or you could get caught by the police, who will fine you 100 yuan and deduct points from your license. I learned this the hard way—once, I was in a hurry to get into the city for an errand but got stuck during restricted hours and had to either park and wait or switch to public transport. My advice is to plan your route in advance using a navigation app to avoid entering Beijing during those peak hours. Also, non-local vehicles are allowed into Beijing for a maximum of 84 days per year, so don’t forget to apply for a Beijing Entry Permit to avoid trouble. Here’s a little tip: leaving early and returning late is the safest bet.
As a new car owner, I've done quite a bit of research on the restrictions for out-of-town license plates in Beijing. The restricted hours are from 7 to 9 in the morning and 5 to 8 in the evening on weekdays. During these times, you can't drive an out-of-town vehicle on roads within the Fifth Ring Road or on the Fifth Ring Road itself. However, driving out is fine—for example, if your car is parked in a neighborhood outside the Fifth Ring Road, you can drive directly to the suburbs without violating any rules. When I was just starting out, I was always worried about making mistakes, and once I did violate the rules, resulting in a fine and points deducted—totally not worth it. Now, I use my phone's navigation to set reminders to avoid restricted areas during peak hours. Remember to apply for the Beijing Entry Permit every year and control the number of times you enter Beijing. Honestly, out-of-town vehicles face restrictions in Beijing, but being smart about it can save you a lot of trouble. When driving, check the map to avoid restricted zones, and try not to drive during the busy morning and evening hours—this actually saves time and is safer. Simple rule: driving out during restricted hours is absolutely fine.
