Can vehicles with green license plates in Hangzhou still participate in the lottery?
3 Answers
Vehicles with green license plates in Hangzhou can still participate in the lottery, but an application for a quota is required. The following is the relevant content introduction: Relevant regulations: According to Article 5 of the "Hangzhou Small Passenger Vehicle Total Control Management Regulations": Units and individuals who need to obtain a quota should apply to the Municipal Control Office. Units and individuals applying for an incremental quota or renewal quota can process the application through the designated website; for those who cannot apply online or are required to confirm in person according to regulations, they should go to the service window. Units and individuals applying for other quotas should go to the service window. Incremental quotas: Incremental quotas are allocated through lottery and bidding. Incremental quotas are allocated in cycles of 12 months, with each cycle having a quota of 80,000, allocated monthly.
As a regular car owner who frequently drives in Hangzhou, let me share some insights on this situation. Recently, I've also researched the policies myself since traffic management is very strict in the city. According to Hangzhou's car purchase quota rules, if you already have any vehicle registered under your name with a Hangzhou license plate—including green-plate electric vehicles—you can no longer participate in the lottery for ordinary passenger cars. This is an official principle set to control traffic volume and reduce congestion, prioritizing the 'one person, one car' rule. However, if your old car is scrapped or you have a transfer certificate, you might be able to reapply. I recommend checking the latest announcements directly on the Hangzhou Traffic Bureau's website—just enter your license plate information to see your eligibility status. I usually use a mobile app to refresh the information in real-time, which is quite convenient. Overall, the policy encourages people to use public transportation or shared mobility, especially during peak hours in the city center. If you haven't taken action yet, it's better to confirm online early to avoid disappointment. The unlimited driving for green-plate vehicles is a major advantage, making daily driving much easier without worrying about traffic restrictions—this is very practical.
As a novice driver who just got my license, I'm completely baffled by this policy and actually discussed it with friends last week. In Hangzhou, if your household already has a green-plate vehicle or other locally licensed car, you simply can't apply for the regular license plate lottery. The rules prohibit individuals who own vehicles from obtaining additional new car quotas unless they sell or scrap their old vehicles. I think this is quite fair, considering it helps alleviate urban traffic congestion. You might want to try applying for a new energy vehicle quota instead – it's a separate system and might have more lenient requirements. I recommend checking the official WeChat account of Hangzhou Transportation Commission, which has a handy eligibility checker tool to save you unnecessary trips to the DMV. As a beginner driver, I always worry about policy changes too, but consulting relatives or searching for guides online usually clears things up. Don't stress too much – prioritizing road environmental protection is definitely the right approach.
