Do commercial vehicles require a lottery for license plates?
2 Answers
Commercial vehicles do not require a lottery for license plates. As long as they are not passenger cars, they are exempt from the lottery. Commercial vehicles are classified as medium-sized buses, including models like the Foton Midi, Foton G7, and Maxus G80. Lottery qualification: The primary requirement is having the qualification to drive a motor vehicle (a driver's license). Additionally, individuals whose residence is in the city, who do not have a passenger car registered in the city under their name, and who hold a valid motor vehicle driving license can apply for a license plate quota. Individuals whose residence is in the city include: Residents with local household registration. Active-duty military personnel and armed police stationed in Beijing. Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents, overseas Chinese, and foreigners who hold valid identification documents and have lived in Beijing for over a year. Non-local residents who hold a valid temporary residence permit in the city and have paid social insurance and personal income tax in the city for five consecutive years (or more).
I've been driving commercial vehicles for many years, especially in big cities where they often need to participate in the license plate lottery system. Otherwise, it's very troublesome to get a license plate. In places like Beijing and Shanghai, small commercial vehicles such as vans or passenger buses also require entering the lottery queue, a process similar to that for private cars, though applying under a company name might be slightly easier. Some types of vehicles, like pure electric new energy versions or qualified logistics vehicles, might be exempt from the lottery and get license plates directly, as they are encouraged by policies promoting green travel. I've seen many peers renting license plates for emergencies on the road, but that's non-compliant and risky. It's advisable to check the local transportation bureau's website or app in advance to understand the details, to avoid buying a car that ends up parked and unusable. The key is that vehicle types and city policies change frequently, and new energy options are becoming popular.
