How are license plate numbers assigned in Hebei Province?
2 Answers
Hebei Province assigns license plate numbers based on the city's size, economic development status, and distance from the provincial capital. The license plate codes for various regions in Hebei Province are as follows: Ji A for Shijiazhuang, Ji B for Tangshan, Ji C for Qinhuangdao, Ji D for Handan, Ji E for Xingtai, Ji F for Baoding, Ji G for Zhangjiakou, Ji H for Chengde, Ji J for Cangzhou, Ji R for Langfang, and Ji T for Hengshui. The functions of license plates include: 1. Numbering and information registration for vehicles; 2. Identifying the region to which the vehicle belongs; 3. Tracing the vehicle owner and registration information through the license plate. Types of license plates: 1. White represents military and police plates; 2. Blue represents ordinary small vehicles with fewer than 7 seats; 3. Yellow represents ordinary large vehicles; 4. Black represents foreign enterprise plates.
I've been driving for decades and know the Hebei license plate system inside out. The license plate starts with 'Ji,' representing Hebei Province, followed by the first letter as the city code. For example, Shijiazhuang is 'Ji A,' Tangshan is 'Ji B,' Handan is 'Ji D,' and so on. After that comes the numerical sequence, where personalized numbers can be chosen but must comply with traffic regulations. This system was designed to facilitate traffic management and avoid confusion—for instance, you can tell where a car is from just by looking at its plate when traveling out of town. Back in my younger days, I even picked auspicious numbers for my license plate, which I found quite amusing. One thing to note is that when changing cars, the old plate becomes invalid, and a new one must be applied for to avoid affecting the annual inspection. Overall, the system is simple but practical, and I often remind new drivers to go through the process at their local vehicle management office—don’t be afraid of the hassle.
