Is the minibus free on highways during National Day?
4 Answers
According to the "Implementation Plan", during the toll-free period, toll roads will exempt tolls for passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer (including 7 seats), including motorcycles allowed to drive on ordinary toll roads. Pickup trucks, large buses, trucks, and private vehicles with more than 7 seats are not included in the toll-free range. Vehicles exempt from tolls on highways: National military and armed police vehicles; green channel trucks that meet the regulations; 120 ambulances on duty, some vehicles of the National Security, and vehicles with special or police passes. Requirements for driving on highways: Drivers must have at least one year of driving experience. New drivers within one year must be accompanied by a driver who has held a corresponding or higher-level driving license for more than 3 years when driving on highways. For drivers of small automatic transmission passenger cars specially designed for the disabled, they can be accompanied by a driver who holds a driving license for small automatic transmission passenger cars or above.
Last National Day, I took my family on a trip driving our family's Jinbei minivan. The highway toll-free policy indeed only applies to small passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer, and our minivan happens to have exactly 7 seats, so we enjoyed free passage all the way. Before the trip, I specifically checked the vehicle registration certificate to confirm the seating capacity, which is crucial. A reminder to everyone: if a minivan exceeds 7 seats, such as the common 8-seater microvans, it won’t qualify for the toll-free benefit and will require normal payment. It’s best to check your vehicle a few days in advance to avoid delays at toll stations. With heavy traffic during the National Day holiday, I also prepared an ETC card for smoother passage. The toll-free period usually starts at midnight the day before National Day and lasts until the end of the holiday, so plan your trip carefully to avoid being late.
As a logistics worker, I also drive vans on highways for deliveries or passenger transport. During National Day, whether a van is toll-free on highways depends on the seating capacity shown on the vehicle registration certificate: vans with 7 seats or fewer are classified as small passenger vehicles and qualify for toll exemption; those with 8 seats or more or registered as trucks may not be exempt. Once, I mistakenly thought an 8-seater was toll-free and ended up being charged. It's advisable to check your vehicle's category using the official app before traveling or call the highway service hotline for confirmation. Carry your vehicle registration certificate for verification, and during holidays with heavy traffic, using the ETC lane is recommended to reduce queuing. Don’t forget to watch out for peak-hour congestion.
I just got my driver's license and it's my first time driving a minivan on the highway during the National Day holiday. My friend told me about the toll-free policy, but does it apply to minivans? I checked the information: as long as the vehicle is a small passenger car with 7 seats or fewer, it can pass for free. For example, the 7-seater version of the Wuling Hongguang qualifies. The toll-free period usually lasts about a week around National Day. Make sure to check the timing when traveling, avoid overloading or driving too fast. Carry some cash for emergencies, and having an ETC makes things easier. Safety first when driving.
