Can You Drive on the Fifth Ring Road on Beijing's Traffic Restriction Days?

[EvanRose]

On Beijing's traffic restriction days, you can drive on the two-way main lanes of the Fifth Ring Road and the auxiliary roads outside the Fifth Ring Road, but not on the auxiliary roads inside the Fifth Ring Road. Beijing's vehicle restriction schedule is as follows: 1. License Plate Tail Numbers: Restricted vehicles in Beijing are divided into five groups based on the last digit of their license plates (including temporary plates), with the restriction day changing every 13 weeks. 2. Time: From April 9, 2018, to July 8, 2018, vehicles with license plate tail numbers 4 and 9, 5 and 0, 1 and 6, 2 and 7, and 3 and 8 were restricted from driving on Monday to Friday, respectively. From July 9, 2018, to October 7, 2018, vehicles with license plate tail numbers 3 and 8, 4 and 9, 5 and 0, 1 and 6, and 2 and 7 were restricted from driving on Monday to Friday, respectively.

[ValeriaRose]

I've been driving in Beijing for twenty years and am very familiar with the traffic restriction rules. On restricted days, you can't drive within the Fifth Ring Road because Beijing's policy stipulates that vehicles with certain license plate endings are prohibited within the Fifth Ring Road (including the main road) on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. For example, on Mondays, vehicles with license plates ending in 1 or 6 are restricted. If your plate is restricted that day, driving on the Fifth Ring Road is a violation, and you might be caught by cameras or stopped by traffic police, resulting in a 100-yuan fine. I suggest car owners check the calendar in advance or download the Beijing Traffic Police app to set reminders. There are no restrictions on weekends and holidays, but note that out-of-town vehicles still need to apply for a Beijing Entry Permit to enter the city center. In short, don't take chances. On restricted days, park outside the Fifth Ring Road and take the subway or bus—it's safe, saves money, and reduces traffic congestion worries.

[HeidiDella]

Recently, I drove an out-of-town car to Beijing for business and heard about the tail number restriction, so I checked carefully. On the restricted day in Beijing, the Fifth Ring Road is completely off-limits because the restricted area includes all roads within the Fifth Ring Road, including the ring roads themselves. For example, if my car's tail number is 3 and it's restricted on Wednesday, driving on the Fifth Ring Road would definitely result in a fine and could even affect the validity of my Beijing entry permit. At the time, I parked my car outside the Fifth Ring Road and took a taxi into the city, which was much more convenient. The rule is that two tail numbers are restricted each weekday, effective from 7 AM to 8 PM. I recommend that anyone driving to Beijing first check using a navigation app like Gaode or plan their trip by staying in the suburbs. If you're not familiar with the rules, it's easy to get caught out—the fine might be small, but it's still frustrating.

[VanMaggie]

I use navigation apps for daily driving management. On Beijing's traffic restriction days, vehicles are not allowed inside the Fifth Ring Road. The rule restricts entry into the area within the Fifth Ring based on the last digit of license plates on weekdays, from 7 AM to 8 PM. Apps like Baidu Maps will send reminders about restriction days. My car's plate ends with 8, so it's restricted on Thursdays – I simply avoid the Fifth Ring and take public transport that day. The restriction covers the entire Fifth Ring Road network; don't think you can bypass it by driving along the ring – there are plenty of cameras. I recommend young car owners utilize tech assistance by downloading relevant apps or setting up in-car systems to avoid forgetting and getting fined 100 yuan. Switching to public transport during peak hours is faster and more eco-friendly.