How far can out-of-town vehicles drive into Beijing without a Beijing Entry Permit?
2 Answers
Out-of-town vehicles entering Beijing without a Beijing Entry Permit can only drive outside the Sixth Ring Road (inclusive). Foreign-registered vehicles entering within Beijing's Sixth Ring Road (exclusive) or traveling to certain areas of Changping, Huairou, Yanqing, and Daxing require a Beijing Entry Permit. Out-of-town vehicles with a permit may enter within the Fifth Ring Road under the following regulations: 1. Weekday rush hours (7:00-9:00, 17:00-20:00): Driving is prohibited on main roads, auxiliary roads, and inner roads of the Fifth Ring Road. 2. Weekdays 9:00-17:00: Must comply with the city's tail number restriction policy (same as Beijing-licensed vehicles), applicable to main/auxiliary roads within the Fifth Ring Road. 3. Special zones: The following areas prohibit passenger vehicles with non-Beijing plates (including temporary plates) from 6:00-22:00 daily: Chang'an Avenue (between Xinxing Bridge (excl.) and Guomao Bridge (excl.)), East/West Square Roads, North/South Chizi Streets, North/South Heyan Streets, Fuyou Street, North/South Chang Streets, Great Hall of the People West Road, Zhengyi Road, and Taijichang Street.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience in Beijing, I know that non-local vehicles without a Beijing Entry Permit can only operate outside the Fifth Ring Road. The Fifth Ring Road serves as the boundary—you can drive or park in the suburbs beyond it, but entering inside the Fifth Ring is considered a violation. I've seen many novice drivers forget to obtain the permit, get caught by cameras inside the Fifth Ring, fined 100 yuan with 3 penalty points, and have their trips delayed. Applying for the Beijing Entry Permit is quite simple now—just use mobile apps like 'Jing Shi Bao,' enter your license plate and dates to apply. The permit is usually valid for a week, with additional restrictions during weekday rush hours. Don’t be careless—check the map before driving, pay attention to signs on the ring roads, and prioritize safety.
