How are license plates ending with letters restricted?
3 Answers
Vehicles with license plates ending in English letters are managed as even-numbered plates. Within urban areas, odd-even license plate restrictions are implemented, with odd-numbered plates allowed on odd days and even-numbered plates on even days. Based on the last Arabic digit of the vehicle license plate (including temporary plates), they are divided into five groups. On Mondays, plates ending with "1" and "6" are restricted. The odd-even driving restriction is implemented 24 hours a day, with plates ending in letters or Chinese characters managed as even-numbered plates. Vehicle license plates ending with English letters are managed as number "0".
As a car owner, I've experienced the license plate tail number restriction policy. My plate ends with the letter G, and in cities with traffic restrictions like Beijing, letters are mapped to numbers: A corresponds to 1, B to 2, and so on, making G equal to 7. This means my car can't be driven on days when the restricted tail number is 7, to avoid fines. Different cities may have slight variations in the rules, so it's best to check the local traffic police website or download an app for confirmation. Once, I mistakenly thought letters weren't restricted and got caught by an electronic eye, resulting in a fine—it felt so unfair. I recommend car owners develop the habit of checking their tail number, setting calendar reminders to minimize surprises. Ultimately, the rules are the same: even license plates with letters must comply with traffic restriction policies. Don't take it lightly, or it could disrupt your travel plans and cost you money.
While helping a friend with license plate restriction issues, I learned that the rules for alphanumeric plates are standardized. Specifically, letters A to J are mapped to numbers 1 to 0—for example, H corresponds to 8, and J corresponds to 10 but is actually treated as 0. This determines the restricted day, just like with purely numeric plates. There isn't much variation between cities, but to be safe, it's convenient to install an official restriction app on your phone. Just enter the plate number, and it will automatically display the rules. I've noticed some car owners overlook this detail and end up getting caught by cameras and fined, which isn't worth it. Therefore, I emphasize staying updated on policies—it avoids trouble and ensures efficient travel. Don’t underestimate it.
