How Many Ring Roads Can Non-local Vehicles Enter in Beijing with a Permit?
3 Answers
Non-local vehicles can enter the Fifth Ring Road of Beijing, and even the areas within the Fourth Ring Road and Third Ring Road, but they need to obtain a Beijing Entry Permit. Below is a detailed explanation of how many ring roads non-local vehicles can enter in Beijing: From 6:00 to 24:00 daily: All non-local license plate trucks are prohibited from entering roads within the Sixth Ring Road (inclusive). From 0:00 to 6:00 daily: Non-local license plate trucks (excluding trucks transporting fresh agricultural products) entering roads within the Sixth Ring Road (inclusive) must obtain a Beijing Entry Permit. For non-local license plate trucks and special operation vehicles: From 6:00 to 24:00 daily, they are not allowed to enter roads within the Sixth Ring Road (exclusive). For non-local license plate trucks that have already obtained a Beijing Entry Permit, they can enter roads within the Sixth Ring Road from 0:00 to 6:00 daily. Non-local license plate diesel trucks with National III emission standards are prohibited from entering any roads within the administrative area of Beijing at all times.
I've been driving in Beijing for over a decade. With an out-of-town license plate, you can enter within the Sixth Ring Road after obtaining a Beijing Entry Permit, but you can't drive into the core areas inside the Second Ring Road, like around Tiananmen Square. Restrictions are stricter on weekdays from 7 AM to 8 PM, when out-of-town vehicles are barred from entering within the Fifth Ring Road to avoid heavy traffic. On weekends, it's more relaxed, and you can drive into the city, but you must pay attention to the validity period of the electronic Beijing Entry Permit. I often see people getting fined 300-400 yuan for forgetting to renew their permits, which is really not worth it. Applying for the permit is quite simple—just download the Beijing Traffic Police APP and apply online; no need to visit in person. Remember, one violation means both points deducted and a fine, which can ruin your trip. It's better to check the map and plan your route in advance.
During the last holiday, I drove my family to Beijing for a trip. We had to obtain a Beijing Entry Permit to smoothly enter the area within the Sixth Ring Road, including suburban attractions. However, driving within the Second Ring Road is strictly prohibited. When we tried to drive near the Forbidden City, security guards stopped us immediately. On weekdays, you need to be even more careful. I heard that vehicles are banned from entering within the Fifth Ring Road all day, so we had to park outside the Fourth Ring Road and switch to public transport, which was quite a hassle. The electronic Beijing Entry Permit is very convenient to apply for via a mobile app—just enter your license plate information, and it's done in minutes. But policies change frequently. Last time, I saw news that restrictions might be relaxed at night, but it's best to check official updates to avoid mistakes. If you get caught violating the rules, the fines are outrageously high—it nearly ruined our family's mood.
