Do small trucks in Beijing require a lottery for license plates?
3 Answers
Small trucks in Beijing do not require a lottery for license plates. Below are the traffic restrictions for small trucks in Beijing: 1. Local license plates: Trucks with Beijing-issued license plates (including temporary plates) are prohibited from driving within the Fifth Ring Road (excluding the Fifth Ring Road) from 6:00 to 23:00 daily; trucks with a permitted load capacity of 8 tons or more are prohibited from driving on the main roads of the Fifth Ring Road. 2. Non-local license plates: Trucks with license plates issued by other provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities (including temporary plates) are prohibited from driving within the Sixth Ring Road (including the Sixth Ring Road) from 6:00 to 24:00 daily; trucks entering the roads within the Sixth Ring Road (including the Sixth Ring Road) from 00:00 to 6:00 daily (except for trucks transporting fresh agricultural products) must obtain a Beijing entry permit.
I understand that Beijing's small passenger car lottery only applies to ordinary passenger vehicles, not small trucks. Small trucks fall under the commercial vehicle category, with completely different management policies. I remember my neighbor wanted to buy a small truck for transportation last year—no lottery was required, but he had to apply for an operating permit from the vehicle management office first, submitting documents like ID and residence proof. Only after approval could he get the license plate. Another detail: pure electric small trucks might have preferential policies, making the process faster. Overall, compared to the long wait of the lottery, buying a small truck is more straightforward, though it involves more paperwork. If you plan to buy one, I recommend consulting the local vehicle management office in advance to avoid any issues.
As someone who frequently handles vehicle registration, I'm well aware of Beijing's policy: only passenger cars are subject to the lottery system, while light trucks are exempt as they are commercial vehicles. You need to apply for a dedicated truck quota through the DMV. Required documents include ID card, temporary residence permit or household registration, and compulsory traffic insurance policy. In practice, I've seen many owners purchase new energy light trucks, as Beijing has more relaxed management for such vehicles, possibly not requiring additional quotas. But remember, non-commercial light trucks might be classified as passenger vehicles, subject to the lottery - it depends on the specific model. To be safe, check the vehicle type definition first to avoid pitfalls.
