How much longer can a yellow-plated China III vehicle be driven?
2 Answers
Generally, China III vehicles can be driven indefinitely as there are no mandatory scrappage measures imposed by the state. However, this depends on the traffic restrictions in the specific region. According to policy regulations, vehicles will only be guided for scrappage after reaching 600,000 kilometers. The key factor determining whether a vehicle can be on the road is whether it can pass the annual inspection. Without this unwritten rule, China III vehicles could theoretically still be driven for 48 years. Additional information is as follows: 1. Yellow plates: Yellow plates are for large vehicles; two-wheeled and three-wheeled motorcycles; large buses; and vehicles used for agricultural purposes. 2. China VI standard: The China VI vehicle emission standards refer to the standards established to implement the 'Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China' and the 'Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law of the People's Republic of China,' aiming to prevent pollution from the exhaust of compression-ignition and gas-fueled ignition engine vehicles, protect the ecological environment, and safeguard human health. These standards include two parts: 'Limits and Measurement Methods for Emissions from Light-duty Vehicles (China VI)' and 'Limits and Measurement Methods for Emissions from Heavy-duty Diesel Vehicles (China VI).'
I've been driving a China III standard car for almost twelve years now. Back when I first bought it, I could drive anywhere without issues, but now big cities have strict regulations—Beijing and Shanghai both restrict China III vehicles from entering urban areas. On regular days, I have to take detours through suburbs or rural areas. There's no clear answer to how much longer China III cars can stay on the road—it depends on where you live. Smaller cities and rural areas might be more lenient, possibly allowing another five or six years, but in big cities, it might only be a year or two. Policies change too fast—last year, I heard there were scrapping subsidies encouraging car replacements, but I missed the window. My advice is to keep an eye on government announcements, especially updates from environmental departments on restricted zones. Don’t wait until the ban hits to panic—start considering a replacement or disposal plan early to avoid trouble. Safety first. Also, drive carefully and maintain the engine and emission system to extend its lifespan a bit, but the trend is irreversible—don’t get your hopes up too much.
