Can Shanghai License Plates Drive on the Outer Ring Road?
2 Answers
According to the traffic regulations for vehicles with "Hu C" license plates (excluding motorcycles), vehicles with Hu C license plates are allowed to drive on roads outside the S20 Outer Ring Expressway (inclusive). However, vehicles with Hu C license plates are prohibited from driving within the S20 Outer Ring Expressway. The prohibited areas for "Hu C" license plate vehicles (excluding motorcycles) include: Taihe Road (from the Huangpu River westward) - Taihe West Road - Gutai Road - Guchen Road - Hutai Road - Tangqi Road - Qilianshan Road - Hujia Expressway - Outer Ring West Second Avenue - Outer Ring West First Avenue - Outer Ring South First Avenue - Yanggao Road Interchange - Yanggao South Road - Longyang Road Interchange - Longyang Road - Longdong Avenue - Zhangjin Highway - Jinqiao Interchange - Yanggao North Road to the Yangtze River, covering all roads within the Outer Ring Road (including the mentioned roads). Vehicles with "Hu C" license plates are prohibited from entering these areas at all times.
I've been driving in Shanghai for almost 30 years, and with a Shanghai license plate, there's absolutely no problem driving on the Outer Ring Road—no restrictions at all. The Outer Ring Road is S20, a large circular route mainly consisting of ground-level sections. Vehicles with Shanghai plates can enter anytime they want; it's the out-of-town plates that have to worry about traffic restrictions, only being prohibited from entering the Inner Ring Elevated Road during peak hours. I drive from Pudong to Jiading via the Outer Ring Road every day and never have to check the restriction rules—it's incredibly hassle-free. However, beginners should pay attention to navigation prompts. Temporary controls due to construction or events may require detours, so having a map app handy helps avoid violations. The advantage of a Shanghai plate here is the freedom and convenience it offers for travel.