How Long Can China III Vehicles Still Be Driven?
2 Answers
Generally, China III vehicles can be driven indefinitely, as there are no mandatory scrapping measures imposed by the state. However, this depends on the traffic restrictions in the specific region. Below are the scrapping deadlines and restricted areas for China III vehicles: Scrapping Deadlines: China has clear regulations that do not set a scrapping deadline for private passenger vehicles. Instead, there is only a guideline for "guided scrapping" after reaching 600,000 kilometers. Additionally, light and heavy trucks have a mandatory scrapping period of 10 years, which can be extended up to 5 years, meaning the maximum mandatory scrapping period for China III trucks is 15 years. Therefore, as long as China III vehicles can pass regular inspections and are in good condition, they can continue to be driven. Restricted Areas for China III Vehicles: Although China III vehicles can still be driven, they face the awkward situation of having limited places to drive. Cities such as Beijing, Zhengzhou, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, and Jinan have successively issued restricted areas for China III vehicles. Violating these restrictions will result in fines and penalty points. In fact, these restrictions are a means of guiding scrapping, making it increasingly inconvenient and uneconomical to use older vehicles, thereby encouraging the purchase of new ones.
As an ordinary car owner, I must say how long China III vehicles can still be driven largely depends on changes in national policies. China is currently tightening environmental regulations, with major cities like Beijing and Shanghai already imposing restrictions on China III vehicles, such as banning them from city centers or specific zones. I've seen in the news that the government plans to phase out older vehicles by 2025. The China III standard dates back to around 2008, and theoretically, well-maintained cars could last another 5 to 10 years. However, expanding restricted zones may limit mobility. I advise fellow drivers to closely monitor local traffic authority announcements to avoid sudden fines. Planning an early vehicle replacement is the safest bet, especially for those in big cities where driving inconveniences pose greater risks. Additionally, with generous incentives for new energy vehicles, upgrading might be more cost-effective in the long run—don't stubbornly hold onto old models.
