What are the requirements for non-locals to participate in the Beijing license plate lottery?

[OJuliette]

Non-locals need to meet the following requirements to participate in the Beijing license plate lottery: 1. Hold a valid Beijing work residence permit or temporary residence permit. 2. Have continuously paid social insurance and personal income tax for more than 5 years (the 5-year period must be continuous, but missed payments can be made up). 3. For residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese: Hold a valid ID card and have lived in Beijing for more than one year. 4. For foreigners: Hold a permanent residence permit for foreigners; hold a valid residence permit or visit visa issued by Beijing with a validity period of one year or more; have a valid temporary accommodation registration certificate in Beijing for one year or more.

[VanJosiah]

As an out-of-towner who has struggled in Beijing for many years, I know all too well how agonizing the license plate lottery can be. The basic requirements are that you don't have Beijing household registration but must have paid local social insurance and personal income tax continuously for over five years without a break exceeding three months. You also need a Beijing residence permit to prove you have stable employment here. Applications are processed through the Passenger Vehicle Quota Regulation Management System website by uploading proof of social insurance payments, tax records, and a copy of your ID card. The winning rate is as low as a few in ten thousand, just like buying a lottery ticket. I started paying taxes when I came to Beijing for work after graduation and waited a full five years to get one chance, only to have it expire because I didn't buy a car in time, forcing me to queue up again for another year and a half. The policy's original intent was to control motor vehicle growth and address traffic congestion and environmental issues, but it's unfriendly to long-term contributing non-locals. I advise fellow out-of-towners to first consider applying for a new energy vehicle quota, which has lower thresholds and higher chances of success. Remember, if you win the lottery, you must register the vehicle within six months, or all your effort will be in vain. Usually, taking the subway, using car-sharing services, or riding an e-bike is quite convenient, saving both hassle and money.

[Ida]

I often deal with traffic regulations. Beijing's license plate lottery has clear rules for non-locals: they must have paid social security and personal income tax in Beijing continuously for five years—this is a hard requirement. Tax records must match the timeline and can't be paid haphazardly across different locations. Additionally, applicants must hold a valid Beijing residence permit or work certificate to prove they're not temporary workers. They also can't already have a Beijing-registered license plate to avoid duplicate ownership. The entire process is handled online through the traffic bureau's designated system for submitting electronic materials for review. The underlying goal is to ease urban congestion, as Beijing has high vehicle density and frequent odd-even license plate restrictions. Nowadays, the new energy vehicle lottery has a dedicated quota where non-locals can get priority, with a winning rate several times higher. Remember to handle the winning notice promptly, as it will expire if overdue—what a waste! Local policies lean conservative, but in the long run, fair treatment is gradually improving. Once you've met the qualifications, go ahead and apply boldly—there's always hope.

[OAdriana]

I've been working for three years since moving from my hometown to Beijing, and the commute is exhausting. I want to buy a car, but the license plate lottery conditions are quite strict. For non-locals, it's required to have worked continuously in Beijing's urban area for more than five years, with both social security and personal taxes fully paid for each period. I started late, and now I've only been paying taxes for two and a half years, so I'll have to patiently wait until 2026 to apply. The materials can be uploaded on the website of the Traffic Management Bureau's passenger car quota regulation page, and the operation is simple—you can fill out the form using a phone or computer. Winning the lottery is extremely difficult; hardly anyone in my friend circle has succeeded. If you're impatient, you might try the new energy route—electric vehicle quotas are easier to obtain, but you'll need to research charging station availability in advance. For now, I take the subway and buses, and use shared bikes for short distances. I'll wait until I meet the qualifications—no need to rush.