How often is the lottery held?
3 Answers
The lottery is held once a month. Introduction: A saloon-car refers to a vehicle designed to transport passengers and their personal belongings, with seats arranged between two axles. Including the driver, the maximum number of seats does not exceed nine. Generally, saloon-cars emphasize comfort, focusing on the passengers. They also prioritize economic considerations, opting for engines with moderate horsepower, small displacement, and low fuel consumption. Structure: The body structure of a saloon-car mainly includes the body shell, doors, windows, front sheet metal parts, interior and exterior decorations, body accessories, seats, as well as ventilation, heating, cooling, and air conditioning systems. For trucks and specialized saloon-cars, it also includes compartments and other equipment.
I remember checking the rules when I first participated in the license plate lottery. Generally, big cities hold the lottery once a month, and in Beijing, it's usually on the afternoon of the 26th. However, policies do vary by location—for example, my cousin in Hangzhou has a quarterly lottery. The most frustrating part is the waiting period; it takes at least a month and a half from application to results. It took me a full eight months to finally win, and looking back, I realize how important it was to submit my application every month. Many people don’t know that the system automatically renews applications, so there’s no need to reapply each month. If you’re in urgent need of a car, I’d suggest applying for a new energy vehicle (NEV) quota at the same time—the odds are much higher, even though the wait can be long. The lottery really tests your patience; I know someone who waited three years before getting lucky.
Regarding the lottery cycle, the most common practice is to organize it once a month. In cities with license plate restrictions like Beijing and Tianjin, the draw is usually held in the latter half of each month. However, the exact date depends on the local traffic management announcements, as it may be postponed during holidays. If you've just applied, remember that the review of materials takes about 20 working days, after which you'll be included in the current or next month's batch. Last year, I checked the rules for a friend in Shenzhen, where they have two types: regular vehicles and new energy vehicles. Regular vehicles are drawn monthly, while new energy vehicles have been changed to every two months. It's recommended to download the local traffic management app and set up reminders, as missing the application period means waiting until the next month. Some cities have now introduced a tiered winning probability system, where the chances of winning gradually increase for those who haven't been successful in the lottery for a long time.
