Is the highway free on New Year's Day?
2 Answers
Highway tolls are not waived on New Year's Day. The toll-free periods on Chinese highways are limited to four national statutory holidays: Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day, as well as any consecutive holidays officially designated by the State Council. The free period starts at 0:00 on the first day of the holiday and ends at 24:00 on the last day. For ordinary roads, the toll-free status is determined by the time when the vehicle passes through the toll gate, while for highways, it is determined by the time when the vehicle exits the toll gate. The toll-free policy applies to passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer, including motorcycles that are permitted to travel on ordinary toll roads. China implements a vehicle registration system, and motor vehicles must be registered with the traffic management department of the public security authorities before they can be driven on the road. For unregistered vehicles that need temporary road access, a temporary pass must be obtained.
I often help my friends check the free highway policy, and New Year's Day is usually not free. According to regulations, toll-free passage is only applicable during major holidays like the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day. Although New Year's Day is a statutory holiday, the vacation period is relatively short, and the traffic volume isn't as overwhelming as during those major holidays, so it's generally not included. The reason is that the policy is designed to alleviate peak congestion, but highways often become even more crowded during toll-free holidays, which poses greater risks. Before traveling, I recommend checking the Ministry of Transport's website or the Gaode Map APP for the latest updates. Safety comes first—don’t skimp on those toll fees; if you end up stuck in traffic, it’s wiser to bring some snacks and an emergency kit. Normally, highway tolls aren’t expensive, but the key is to plan your time well to avoid peak hours, such as setting off before 7 AM for a smoother ride.
