What are the traffic restriction regulations for out-of-town license plates in Shanghai in 2020?
4 Answers
2020 Shanghai traffic restriction regulations for out-of-town license plates are: Daily restrictions from 7:00 to 20:00 (no restrictions on Saturdays, Sundays, and national statutory holidays). Shanghai prohibits small passenger vehicles with out-of-town license plates, small passenger vehicles using temporary license plates, unoccupied small passenger taxis, and small passenger vehicles driven by probationary drivers from traveling within the restricted areas during the restricted hours. The restricted areas for out-of-town license plates in Shanghai in 2020 include: Yan'an Elevated Road (east of S20 Outer Ring Expressway), North-South Elevated Road (from Humu Road to Luban Interchange), Yixian Elevated Road (entire route), Humin Elevated Road (entire route), Middle Ring Road (entire route), Huaxia Elevated Road (entire route), Luoshan Elevated Road (entire route), Resort Area Elevated Road (from Middle Ring Road to Xiupu Road section), Inner Ring Elevated Road (except for the sections from Zhongshan North 2nd Road entrance to Jinxiu Road exit on the inner ring, and from Jinxiu Road entrance to Huangxing Road exit on the outer ring), Longdong Elevated Road (from Luoshan Road to Middle Ring Road section), Hongmei Elevated Road (from Middle Ring Road to S20 Outer Ring Expressway section), Beidi Road Tunnel; Nanpu Bridge, Lupu Bridge, Yan'an East Road Tunnel.
In 2020, I often drove to Shanghai and remembered the traffic restriction rules for non-local license plates quite clearly. Those rules targeted vehicles without Shanghai plates, prohibiting them from entering areas within the inner ring road and major elevated roads during weekday morning and evening rush hours. The specific times were from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. If you drove into the city with an out-of-town car during these hours, you could easily get fined. The restrictions were enforced only on weekdays, with no limitations on weekends or public holidays. I remember many friends complaining about it back then because it affected their commutes. Sometimes, I had to carpool in advance or switch to the subway to avoid trouble. The restrictions were mainly implemented to ease traffic congestion and pollution, especially in Shanghai's densely populated central areas. If you want to check the latest information, I recommend looking at the official "Shanghai Traffic Police" app, which provides real-time updates. Although the policy hasn’t changed much since 2020, it’s always good to confirm the details. As a driver, I think the rules are reasonable, but you need to plan your travel time in advance to avoid wasted trips.
As a long-term local resident in Shanghai, the restrictions on out-of-town license plates were clearly defined in 2020. The restricted hours are fixed from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on weekdays from Monday to Friday. The coverage area is within the inner ring, including surface roads and some elevated expressways, such as Yan'an Elevated Road and North-South Elevated Road. I remember that winter, I saw many out-of-town vehicles being stopped outside, and the inner ring was particularly congested during peak hours. This rule did alleviate some of the pressure. On holidays and weekends, there are no restrictions, and you can drive freely. The out-of-town drivers I know all say it's annoying but must be followed, and it's best to have a public transport card or use shared bikes as an alternative. Speaking of additional details, the restrictions are not just for traffic control but also help Shanghai manage air pollution, as emissions are high during peak hours. If you're unsure about the restricted area, you can check the roadside signs, which are quite noticeable and can help you avoid getting lost.
In 2020, I was responsible for delivering goods within Shanghai. The traffic restriction time for out-of-town license plates was from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on weekdays. This means that during peak hours, out-of-town vehicles cannot enter the inner ring area, including elevated road sections. This has a significant impact on logistics, requiring us to plan routes in advance to avoid those times, otherwise, delays and deductions would occur. The restricted area is clearly defined: ground roads and elevated roads within the inner ring. Holidays are exceptions. It is recommended that drivers adjust delivery times or switch to local license plates.
