What are the regulations for non-local vehicles in Beijing's traffic restriction policy?
3 Answers
Beijing's regulations for non-local vehicles are as follows: Drivers must hold a driver's license, vehicle registration certificate, inspection certificate, compulsory traffic insurance certificate, and an environmental protection label. Additionally, the vehicle's exhaust must pass an on-site inspection by the environmental protection department to obtain a Beijing entry permit. The validity periods for the entry permits of non-local passenger vehicles and trucks are 7 days and 3 days, respectively. During the application for the Beijing entry permit, the vehicle's exhaust will be tested on-site. If the exhaust meets the standards, the owner can exchange the one-time emission compliance certificate for the Beijing entry permit. Authorities will also check the vehicle's violation records and fine payment history. Vehicles with any outstanding penalties or unpaid fines will not be issued the permit.
Having lived in Beijing for over a decade, I've noticed quite a few traffic restrictions for vehicles with non-local license plates. On weekdays from Monday to Friday during the morning and evening rush hours (7:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-8:00 PM), cars with non-local plates are prohibited from driving within the Fifth Ring Road, except for the main roads of the Fifth Ring. This regulation helps reduce traffic congestion in the city. I often advise friends visiting Beijing to apply for a traffic permit beforehand. They can do this either through the traffic management app or at inspection stations, with each permit valid for 7 days and a maximum of 12 times per year. If caught by cameras without a permit, it's a 100 yuan fine plus 3 penalty points on the driver's license – definitely not worth it. Actually, Beijing's subway and bus networks are incredibly well-developed. I usually rely on them myself to avoid the hassle of finding parking. There are no restrictions on holidays and weekends, making them ideal for road trips, but during weekday rush hours, public transportation is the way to go – it's both eco-friendly and stress-free.
I often drive to Beijing for business trips from out of town, so I'm quite familiar with these regulations. During weekday peak hours from 7:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-8:00 PM, vehicles with non-local license plates are restricted from entering within the Fifth Ring Road and need to apply for a Beijing Entry Permit in advance. I usually apply through a mobile app, which is valid for 7 days per application, with a maximum of 12 times per year. Once, I rushed into the city without a permit and got caught by an electronic eye, resulting in a 100-yuan fine and 3 penalty points—a hard lesson learned. Now I either avoid peak hours or simply don't drive, taking the subway instead for convenience. I heard this policy aims to reduce congestion and pollution, and I understand its benefits. On public holidays when the restrictions are lifted, I always remind my colleagues to plan their trips carefully to avoid the trouble I went through. The city's management is quite strict, so following the rules helps prevent unnecessary delays.
