What are the odd-even license plate traffic restriction rules in Hangzhou?
2 Answers
Hangzhou odd-even license plate traffic restriction rules: From 8:30 to 17:00 on all weekends and national statutory holidays, motor vehicles with small vehicle license plates (blue plates), including personalized license plates and temporary license plates, that need to travel within the restricted areas (roads) of the West Lake Scenic Area must have the last digit of their license plate Arabic number consistent with the odd or even number of the Gregorian calendar date. Small vehicle license plates ending with Arabic numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 are allowed to travel on odd-numbered days; those ending with 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0 are allowed to travel on even-numbered days.
I've been living in Hangzhou for a few years now, and dealing with the odd-even license plate restriction rule has become a daily challenge that really affects my commute. Simply put, the last digit of your license plate number determines which days you can't drive into the city center. Plates ending with 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 are considered odd-numbered, while those ending with 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 are even-numbered. During weekday rush hours from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, in central areas like around West Lake and on expressways, odd-numbered plates can only drive on odd-numbered dates (like the 1st, 3rd, etc.), and even-numbered plates on even-numbered dates (like the 2nd, 4th). I learned this the hard way two years ago when I drove my plate ending with 3 on an even-numbered date and got fined 200 RMB. Now I use the Hangzhou Traffic Police App to check restriction days in advance to avoid being late or fined. On weekends and holidays, you can drive freely without restrictions. I recommend everyone develop the habit of leaving early or taking the metro.
