What are the penalties for not following the odd-even license plate rule?
3 Answers
Not following the odd-even license plate rule results in a fine and a deduction of 3 points. Below are the details regarding the license plate restriction policy: 1. Penalty Measures: Violations of the odd-even rule are enforced through a combination of electronic surveillance and on-site penalties by traffic police. The penalty includes a fine and a deduction of 3 points, with the same vehicle being penalized no more than once every 24 hours. 2. Restriction Rules: The license plate restriction applies to roads within the administrative area of the city (including counties and districts). It affects non-operational small passenger vehicles, including those from other regions (vehicle usage is determined by registration records). Repeated violations will be dealt with according to the law. 3. Implementation: During the restriction period, when the comprehensive air pollution index exceeds 200 (AQI>200), designated vehicles and other motor vehicles within the restricted scope must adhere to the odd-even rule based on their license plate's last digit (including temporary plates): odd-numbered plates drive on odd-numbered days, and even-numbered plates drive on even-numbered days. License plates ending with a letter are treated as odd-numbered plates.
I was once fined for not paying attention to the odd-even license plate rule while driving. That day, I went out on a restricted day and was caught by surveillance cameras, resulting in an immediate fine of 200 yuan. The traffic police said that for the first offense, it's usually just a fine without points deducted, but accumulating three offenses will lead to a 3-point deduction. My colleague had it worse—they were caught violating the rules during rush hour and received a ticket on the spot. Now, I use my phone to set reminders and simply call a ride-hailing service on restricted days to avoid hassle. After all, accumulating 12 points isn't easy, and retaking the driving test is too much trouble. Some cities impose stricter penalties; for example, in Beijing, it can even affect your eligibility for the next license plate lottery.
Last month, my friend was in a hurry to take his child to the hospital and forgot about the odd-even license plate rule, resulting in a 100-yuan fine after being caught by an electronic eye. He said he usually remembers but was too flustered that day to pay attention. Actually, penalties for violating the odd-even rule depend on the situation. If caught by surveillance cameras, it's usually just a fine, but it must be handled within 15 days to avoid late fees. If stopped by traffic police on the spot, points may also be deducted, and in severe cases, the vehicle could be impounded. Nowadays, mobile navigation apps have traffic restriction reminder features, and setting them up can prevent 90% of violations.
