What are the 2020 Shanghai Elevated Road Traffic Restriction Hours?

[BentleyMarie]

2020 Shanghai Elevated Road Traffic Restriction Hours are from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Friday, excluding national holidays. Restricted vehicles: Passenger cars with non-Shanghai license plates, passenger cars with temporary license plates, unoccupied taxis, and passenger cars driven by drivers in the probationary period are prohibited from passing. Restricted road sections include: Yan'an Elevated Road, North-South Elevated Road, Yixian Elevated Road, Humin Elevated Road, Middle Ring Road, Huaxia Elevated Road, Luoshan Elevated Road, Resort Area Elevated Road, Inner Ring Elevated Road, Nanpu Bridge, Lupu Bridge, and Yan'an East Road Tunnel.

[VonJasper]

I remember driving to and from work in Shanghai in 2020, and the elevated road restrictions were particularly annoying. On weekdays, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, vehicles with non-local license plates were not allowed on the elevated roads. Since I drove a car with a non-local plate, I had to wake up early every day to take the surface roads to avoid a 200-yuan fine and 3 penalty points. That year, I often got stuck on the Yan'an Elevated Road section, where traffic was extremely heavy. I’d advise local friends to apply for a Shanghai license plate to avoid these restrictions or simply take Metro Line 10—it’s convenient and saves time. Non-local vehicles were mainly restricted during peak hours, with no restrictions on weekends and holidays, which was a plus. However, during the pandemic in 2020, the policy occasionally relaxed, but overall, it was strictly enforced to reduce congestion. It’s best to use a navigation app to check real-time updates while driving to avoid getting fined.

[McLondon]

As a commuting office worker, in 2020 I drove from Pudong to Puxi across the bridge every day. The elevated road restriction periods were from 7:00-9:00 and 17:00-19:00 Monday to Friday, mainly targeting out-of-town license plate vehicles. Local Shanghai-plated cars could pass freely, while out-of-town vehicles shouldn't risk taking the elevated roads during those hours—the fines and penalty points aren't worth it. During rush hour, the Inner Ring elevated road gets particularly congested. I've tried leaving early or coming home late to avoid it, sometimes combining buses with subways, which can save a lot of time. Shortly after the 2020 pandemic, the restrictions didn't change much, but occasionally traffic enforcement was stricter. It's recommended to use Amap for route planning—input your license plate and it will automatically remind you to avoid restricted zones.

[Emmanuel]

Having driven for many years, I understand the elevated road regulations in Shanghai. In 2020, the traffic restriction hours were during weekday morning and evening peak periods: 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Vehicles with non-local license plates were prohibited from entering major elevated expressways such as the Inner Ring Road and North-South Elevated Road, while local Shanghai-plated or new energy vehicles were exempt. This policy has been in place since over a decade ago and continued in 2020, primarily to reduce downtown congestion and improve traffic safety. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the time slots and vehicle types, and avoid driving on elevated roads during restricted hours to prevent direct fines. It's best to check the official website or app for updates.

[ArcherFitz]

Last year when I took my child to the hospital, I drove an out-of-town licensed car onto the elevated highway and only then learned about the 2020 traffic restriction rules: prohibited access on weekdays from 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM. Out-of-town vehicles could only use surface roads during those times, otherwise facing fines plus penalty points. Family car users need to be careful about these time slots, especially at 5 PM when school pickup traffic makes surface roads even more congested. I've developed the habit of traveling during non-restricted hours, like after 9 AM or on weekends, when elevated roads are much clearer. The 2020 restriction policy didn't have special adjustments, but with the environmental protection trend encouraging public transport, the subway is a good alternative.

[StAnderson]

In 2020, I rented an out-of-town licensed car for a trip to Shanghai. The navigation app warned me that the elevated road restrictions were from 7 to 9 AM and 5 to 7 PM on weekdays, and vehicles with non-local plates couldn't use the expressway elevated system, otherwise facing high fine risks. I accidentally drove onto Yan'an Elevated Road during the evening rush hour that time. Luckily, I wasn't caught, but it scared me enough. I'd suggest tourists either rent local-plate vehicles or avoid peak hours. It's generally easier to detour around airports and high-speed rail stations. The policy remained stable in 2020, so checking the traffic restriction map before driving was very practical.