Is it necessary to print out the Beijing Entry Permit?

[Carvalho]

The Beijing Entry Permit needs to be printed out. The permit can be applied for through the Beijing Traffic Police APP, but it is an electronic Beijing Entry Permit. According to the notice regulations, and to facilitate identification by traffic police, it is required to download and print out the permit after application, and place it on the lower left side of the vehicle's front windshield. It is important to note that each vehicle can only apply for the Beijing Entry Permit a maximum of 12 times per year, with each permit valid for up to 7 days. Before the expiration of the validity period, the vehicle should exit the designated area as soon as possible. If the Beijing Entry Permit is not obtained or has expired, and the vehicle is parked within the roads inside the Sixth Ring Road (excluding) and the entire area of Tongzhou District, the number of days the vehicle can apply for the permit in the current year will be correspondingly deducted based on the number of days parked. If the vehicle is driven within the aforementioned areas without a valid Beijing Entry Permit, it will be considered as driving in violation of prohibition sign instructions and will be subject to corresponding penalty points and fines.

[Yarrow]

Actually, the Beijing Entry Permit doesn't need to be printed out now. I used to drive into Beijing frequently before, and I always applied for the electronic version through the 'Beijing Traffic Police' APP. Just save a screenshot of the successful application page on your phone and show it to the traffic police at the checkpoint—you don't even need to turn on the internet. However, sometimes when encountering older traffic police officers who are used to seeing paper versions, I keep a printed copy in my car. After all, printers are everywhere, so it saves time. Also, a reminder to everyone: make sure to save a screenshot of the electronic permit, just in case your phone has no signal—that could be troublesome.

[SanLaura]

I feel whether to print the Beijing Entry Permit or not is entirely up to personal preference. Like me, working in Beijing and commuting weekly, I now handle everything via my phone—the electronic permit holds the same legal validity as the paper one. But once at the Dujiakan checkpoint, the driver in front had a dead phone and got lectured by the traffic police for quite a while. So my advice is: if you're just entering the city for a couple of days of leisure, the electronic version is sufficient; but for long-distance trips or when your phone battery is low, it's safer to have a printed copy ready—just clip an A4 sheet to the sun visor.

[OscarFitz]

Applying for a Beijing Entry Permit is now very convenient. Let me show you how to do it: First, download the 'Beijing Traffic Police' app on your phone, upload your license plate and personal information. Once approved, an electronic permit with a QR code will be generated. Just scan this code at the checkpoint—no printing needed. However, it's recommended to add the electronic permit page to your WeChat favorites or phone home screen for quicker access than a printed copy. In case of special situations, like a phone malfunction, you can always find a print shop temporarily, usually available at convenience stores like 7-11.

[LaNova]

From my personal experience, I have to apply for the Beijing entry permit every month to deliver goods. The electronic permit is indeed convenient, but last winter at the Kangzhuang checkpoint, I saw a driver who couldn't show the electronic permit because his phone shut down due to the cold, causing a delay of over half an hour. So now my approach is to prepare both the electronic version and a printed copy. Although theoretically a printout isn't necessary, it's no trouble to print one on A4 paper and keep it in the glove box. A reminder to everyone: make sure the vehicle information and validity date are printed clearly when you print it, as the traffic police won't accept blurry printouts.

[StSawyer]

Regarding the printing of the Beijing entry permit, I think it depends on the specific situation. For example, I often drive my new energy vehicle in the suburbs, and the entry permit has a short validity period with frequent applications, so I rely entirely on the electronic version and never print it. However, if I'm taking a self-driving trip with elderly parents or children, I would print two copies in advance: one to stick on the lower right corner of the windshield and one to keep in my bag as a backup. After all, traveling with kids can be chaotic, and having a physical copy is quicker to access. Also, remember to take a screenshot immediately after the electronic permit is approved, as the app occasionally crashes and the page may be lost.