What are the restricted hours for out-of-town license plates in Shanghai?
4 Answers
Out-of-town license plates in Shanghai are restricted from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM from Monday to Friday, totaling 13 hours per day. The restricted vehicle types include small passenger cars with out-of-town license plates, small passenger cars with temporary license plates, unoccupied taxis, and small passenger cars driven by drivers in their probationary period. The restricted roads for out-of-town license plates in Shanghai 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, Longdong Elevated Road, Hongmei Elevated Road, Beizhai Road Tunnel, Nanpu Bridge, Lupu Bridge, and Yan'an East Road Tunnel.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience in Shanghai, I must emphasize the importance of remembering the traffic restriction periods for out-of-town license plates. On weekdays from Monday to Friday, between 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, vehicles with non-local plates are prohibited from using elevated roads and certain major routes. These restrictions don't apply during public holidays, such as the National Day golden week when roads are completely open. I once witnessed a friend from out of town accidentally violating these rules and getting fined 200 RMB plus penalty points. My advice is to always check your route using navigation apps beforehand, or schedule your trips either earlier or later. If you must drive during these hours, try to avoid peak times to prevent getting stuck in traffic and wasting time.
When I first arrived, I was quite confused driving with an out-of-town license plate in Shanghai. Later, I figured out the traffic restriction rules: from Monday to Friday, between 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, you can't drive on elevated roads or enter restricted zones. During holidays, you can drive freely. I later learned to use a mobile app for real-time reminders to avoid tickets. It's best for beginners to travel during off-peak hours, like around 1:00 PM, to avoid congestion. The subway and buses are also quite convenient, saving both hassle and money.
I'm familiar with traffic regulations. In Shanghai, vehicles with non-local license plates are restricted from driving on elevated roads and designated routes from 7:00-10:00 and 15:00-20:00, Monday to Friday. They can drive normally during holidays. Planning your trip in advance can help you avoid a 200-yuan fine. These rules are implemented to alleviate urban congestion, and everyone is advised to comply.
