How Many Ring Roads Can You Drive Without a Beijing Entry Permit?
2 Answers
Without a Beijing entry permit, you can only drive on and outside the Sixth Ring Road. According to the traffic management measures for certain passenger vehicles, vehicles entering roads within the Sixth Ring Road (excluding the ring road itself) and all roads in Tongzhou District (excluding main expressways) must obtain a Beijing entry permit. Each vehicle can apply for a maximum of 12 entry permits per year, with each permit valid for up to 7 days. Vehicles must exit the aforementioned areas before the permit expires. If a vehicle parks on urban roads above the branch road level within these areas without a valid entry permit, the number of days parked will be deducted from the total number of days the vehicle is eligible for entry permits that year.
As a seasoned driver who frequently drives to Beijing, I remember clearly that without a Beijing Entry Permit, vehicles with non-local license plates are absolutely not allowed to enter within the Fifth Ring Road, including the Fifth Ring Road itself. In other words, the farthest ring road you can drive on is the Sixth Ring Road or areas further out, such as the Seventh Ring Road or suburban roads. I encountered a similar situation during a road trip—as soon as the navigation alerted me to the Fifth Ring Road entrance, I had to quickly detour. Otherwise, roadside cameras would catch it, leading to a fine starting from 100 to 200 RMB and wasting time. Nowadays, the electronic Beijing Entry Permit is super convenient—just download the official app and apply in advance to avoid fines and ensure safety. During peak hours, Beijing's traffic restrictions are even stricter, so check the time slots beforehand and avoid rush hour. After all, following the rules is key—driving into Beijing should be smooth and hassle-free.
