What are the restrictions for out-of-town license plates entering Beijing?
3 Answers
There are traffic restrictions for out-of-town vehicles entering Beijing: 1. Restrictions for out-of-town passenger vehicles (1) During weekday morning and evening peak hours (7:00-9:00 and 17:00-20:00), vehicles are prohibited from driving on the main roads, auxiliary roads, and roads within the Fifth Ring Road. (2) On weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00, vehicles must comply with the city's tail number restriction policy, with the same restricted tail numbers as Beijing-licensed vehicles. The restricted area includes the main roads, auxiliary roads, and roads within the Fifth Ring Road. (3) The following roads are prohibited for passenger vehicles with out-of-town license plates (including temporary plates): the main road of the Second Ring Road, sections of Chang'an Avenue and its extension from Xinxing Bridge (excluded) to Guomao Bridge (excluded), East and West Square Roads, North and South Chizi Streets, North and South Heyan Streets, Fuyou Street, North and South Chang Streets, People's Congress Hall West Road, Zhengyi Road, Taiji Chang Street, Xi'anmen Street, Wenjin Street, Jingshan Front Street, Wusi Street, Di'anmen Inner Street, Jingshan Back Street, Jingshan West and East Streets, and the west branch of Xishiku Street. (4) The eastern section of Lingjing Hutong (from Fuyou Street to South Huangchenggen Street) is prohibited for motor vehicles with out-of-town license plates (including temporary plates). 2. Restrictions for out-of-town freight vehicles (1) From 6:00 to 24:00 daily, all out-of-town freight vehicles are prohibited on roads within the Sixth Ring Road (inclusive). (2) From 0:00 to 6:00 daily, out-of-town freight vehicles (excluding those transporting fresh agricultural products) entering roads within the Sixth Ring Road (inclusive) must obtain an entry permit. (3) Diesel freight vehicles meeting National III emission standards are prohibited from entering roads within the city's administrative area at all times. (4) The following roads are prohibited for out-of-town freight vehicles 24 hours a day: Chang'an Avenue, South and West Roads of the People's Congress Hall, East and West Square Roads, North and South Chizi Streets, North and South Chang Streets, Fuyou Street, Wangfujing Street, Taiji Chang Road, Zhongguancun South Road, Academy of Sciences South Road, Sanlihe Road, Wanshou Road, Zhugezhuang Road, etc.
Last time I drove into Beijing with an out-of-town license plate, I learned about these rules. During peak hours on weekdays from 7 AM to 9 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM, vehicles with non-local plates are not allowed inside the Fifth Ring Road. Driving in during these times results in a 100 yuan fine and penalty points. You also need to apply for a Beijing Entry Permit, which can be done via the Beijing Traffic Police APP. The maximum allowance is 84 days per year, and exceeding this isn’t permitted. I frequently travel to Beijing for business, and the APP is very convenient—filling in the license plate information takes just minutes. However, planning your trips carefully is essential to avoid exceeding the allowed days. Driving outside the Fifth Ring Road is unrestricted, but within the city, traffic restrictions are strict, and parking is difficult, making the subway a more hassle-free option. Additionally, the Second Ring Road and certain areas are off-limits all day, and new vehicles that don’t meet emission standards can’t enter. These restrictions aim to ease congestion and pollution, but they can be a hassle for out-of-towners like us.
Driving with an out-of-town license plate in Beijing is indeed restricted. During weekday peak hours from 7:00 to 9:00 and 17:00 to 20:00, non-local vehicles are prohibited from entering areas within the Fifth Ring Road. Obtaining a Beijing Entry Permit is mandatory, which can be easily applied for through the Beijing Traffic Police App, but the annual allowance is only 84 days of entry eligibility. Without a permit or exceeding the limit, a fine of 100 yuan plus penalty points will be imposed, which can have significant consequences. It is advisable to plan business trips in advance or opt for local car rental services. Environmental standards are also crucial; new cars must meet China VI emission standards, otherwise, the restrictions will be even stricter. In summary, adhering to the rules properly can save a lot of trouble, and don't underestimate these fines—they can accumulate painfully over time.
