What does the incremental quota for passenger cars in Shenzhen mean?

[Damien]

The incremental quota for passenger cars in Shenzhen refers to the quota certificate document for passenger cars in Shenzhen. With this quota certificate document, you can proceed with vehicle registration (Yue B) and obtain a Shenzhen Yue B license plate. In other words, you must first obtain the Shenzhen passenger car quota before you can register for a Shenzhen license plate. The quota is valid for 6 months, and whether it's for a new car or a used car, the quota certificate must be used. Application conditions for ordinary passenger car quotas: Shenzhen residents; non-residents who hold a valid residence permit issued by Shenzhen and have continuously paid basic medical insurance in Shenzhen for at least 24 months (excluding retroactive payments); active-duty military personnel stationed in Shenzhen (including armed police forces). Hold a valid motor vehicle driver's license for Class C or above. No passenger cars registered in Shenzhen under your name. No valid quota held under your name or no eligibility to apply for a quota update. No instances of failing to use an ordinary passenger car incremental quota obtained through lottery within two years. Application conditions for new energy vehicle license plate quotas: Residence in Shenzhen, including Shenzhen residents; from December 14, 2021, to December 31, 2022, non-residents who hold a valid residence permit issued by Shenzhen; active-duty military personnel stationed in Shenzhen (including armed police forces). For those who already have a passenger car registered in Shenzhen under their name and wish to apply for a new energy passenger car incremental quota, they must still meet the condition of "holding a residence permit and having continuously paid basic medical insurance in Shenzhen for at least 24 months (excluding retroactive payments)."

[CatherineLee]

As a car enthusiast who has lived in Shenzhen for many years, I understand that the Shenzhen small car incremental quota is a government policy to control the rapid growth of vehicles. Simply put, if you want to buy a new car and get it licensed in Shenzhen, you must first obtain this quota; otherwise, even if you buy a car, you can't drive it on the road. The main purpose is to alleviate urban traffic congestion and reduce the impact of air pollution. The application process requires meeting certain conditions, such as having a Shenzhen local household registration or sufficient local social security records, and then obtaining the quota through a lottery or auction. The lottery is a free draw system with a low winning rate, while the auction is a paid option that is faster but more expensive. The quota is only for newly purchased fuel vehicles and must be used within a one-year validity period. It is advisable to plan ahead because the application waiting time is long, often taking one to two years on average. Meanwhile, new energy vehicles have more preferential channels, which are worth paying attention to. Personally, I think this policy has made the streets less congested, but it has also added a considerable burden to us car owners.

[LeVincent]

I helped a friend apply for the Shenzhen small car incremental quota, which is a quota system designed to limit the number of new vehicles. This means you need to obtain approval for the quota before completing license registration when purchasing a conventional fuel-powered car in Shenzhen. The process is quite straightforward: you must first check if you meet the requirements, typically Shenzhen residency or two consecutive years of social insurance, then log in to the traffic management website to submit an application and choose between the lottery or auction. The lottery is drawn monthly, free but highly luck-dependent; the auction sells to the highest bidder. If successful, you'll receive a quota valid for one year. The actual success rate is quite low, around 5%, so many people find the waiting frustrating. Note that the quota applies only to new vehicles—rules differ for used cars and new energy vehicles, with electric cars being easier to apply for. My advice is to be patient or consider renting a car first to minimize disruption to daily life.

[DelFelix]

I waited two years in Shenzhen to win the incremental license plate lottery, which is essentially a government-issued car purchase quota. Every new fuel-powered vehicle hitting the road requires this approval. Without it, your purchased car would just sit idle. The purpose is clear: Shenzhen has too many cars causing traffic congestion and pollution, so the quota system restricts numbers to make the city more livable. When I applied, the requirements were simple—Shenzhen residency or social security eligibility sufficed. The lottery process was transparent, with monthly public draws. The long wait was frustrating, but after winning, buying and registering a car became effortless. New energy vehicles like EVs have looser quotas, reflecting the green mobility trend. Overall, the lengthy wait was worth it.