Is there a traffic restriction for non-local license plates in Beijing?
3 Answers
Beijing imposes traffic restrictions on non-local license plates. The restrictions for non-local passenger vehicles apply only to the main roads of the Second Ring Road, while the auxiliary roads of the Second Ring Road and the sections under its overpasses are not subject to these restrictions. If you are driving a non-local passenger vehicle and need to go near the Second Ring Road, you can normally use the auxiliary roads as long as you avoid the morning and evening rush hours on weekdays and the periods with tail number restrictions. Below are the penalties for violating the traffic restrictions with a non-local license plate in Beijing: 1. For non-local motor vehicles from other provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities without an entry permit entering roads within the Sixth Ring Road (excluding the Sixth Ring Road itself), this will be considered a violation of the "motor vehicle violating the prohibition sign instructions" and will result in a fine of 100 RMB and 3 penalty points. 2. For non-local passenger vehicles with an entry permit, driving within the Fifth Ring Road (including the Fifth Ring Road) from 7:00 to 9:00 and 17:00 to 20:00 on weekdays will be considered a violation of the "motor vehicle violating the prohibition sign instructions" and will result in a fine of 100 RMB and 3 penalty points. Violating the tail number restrictions during off-peak hours will be considered a "violation of traffic restriction regulations" and will result in a fine of 100 RMB.
As someone who has been driving with an out-of-town license plate in Beijing for a long time, I deeply understand the traffic restrictions for non-local vehicles in the capital. The ban on entering within the Fifth Ring Road during weekday morning and evening rush hours is an ironclad rule. I remember last year on a Tuesday morning when I was in a hurry to attend a meeting in Guomao, I was stopped by traffic police at Sihui Bridge and fined 100 yuan just because I forgot about the restriction that day. Moreover, you need to apply for a Beijing Entry Permit, which is now handled through the 'Beijing Traffic Police' app, with applications allowed up to 4 days in advance but limited to only 12 times a year. The most frustrating part is that some core areas like Chang'an Avenue and the main roads of the Second Ring Road are off-limits to non-local vehicles all day. Once, a friend from Tianjin drove here for a visit, unaware of this rule, and his navigation directly led him onto the Second Ring Road, resulting in a 3-point deduction from his license after being caught by electronic surveillance. If you're frequently active in Beijing, I'd suggest either renting a local car or considering carpooling and taking the subway as more practical options.
As long-haul truck drivers, we know Beijing's regulations on out-of-town vehicles best. First thing when hauling cargo into Beijing is getting the Beijing Entry Permit – now just a few taps on the phone, much easier than queuing in earlier years. The key is remembering no entry inside the 5th Ring Road during rush hours (7-9am and 5-8pm), so I deliberately schedule deliveries outside these windows. Last week after unloading at a warehouse outside the 5th Ring, I nearly took a shortcut into the restricted zone until the truck navigation alerted me to detour. For time-sensitive perishables, I always check the license plate restriction schedule – like absolutely avoiding Mondays/Tuesdays when plates ending with 3 or 8 are banned. Temporary stops require avoiding areas near Chang'an Avenue – I've seen out-of-town trucks get ticketed just for parking roadside to eat lunch. These rules seem tedious but actually keep traffic flowing smoothly.
