What is the difference between Jing A and Jing B motorcycle licenses in Beijing?
3 Answers
The differences between Jing A and Jing B motorcycle licenses in Beijing are as follows: 1. Different application conditions: To apply for a Jing A motorcycle license in Beijing, the conditions are: Beijing residents must provide their ID card; non-Beijing residents must provide their ID card and temporary residence permit. Purchase a motorcycle with a Jing A license plate and transfer it to your name. Purchase an imported vehicle registered with the Environmental Protection Bureau and cleared by customs to proceed with the application. For Jing B, only individuals with household registration outside Beijing's four central districts and non-locals with a temporary residence permit can purchase. Those within the four central districts can only register the vehicle under a company name or someone else's name. 2. Different issuance status: After 1996, the issuance of Jing A motorcycle license plates was suspended until 2018 when it resumed, but in limited quantities, while Jing B has been continuously issued.
I've been riding motorcycles in Beijing for years, and the difference between Jing A and Jing B is too obvious. Jing A can freely ride in the city center, like Dongcheng or Xicheng, zipping through traffic during rush hour; Jing B is only allowed in the suburbs, such as Shunyi or Daxing. If you enter the city, the police will catch you and fine you 200 yuan plus 3 points, so you're always worried about getting caught. I was lucky when I got my Jing A plate—I bought it second-hand from a friend for over 100,000 yuan. A new Jing B plate only costs a few thousand, super cheap, but you have to accept not riding in the city. Now, I rely on it for suburban meetups. If you don’t often ride in the city, Jing B saves you a lot of money and hassle—just don’t think about entering the city and enjoy cruising in the suburbs. For those living outside the Fifth Ring Road, Jing B is comfortable—easy parking and quieter, a practical and economical choice. Jing A? More freedom, but the plate is insanely expensive, with strict traffic restrictions. Newcomers basically have no chance and can only get it through the transfer market.
From a policy and regulatory perspective, Jing A license plates permit driving throughout Beijing, including the core urban areas, while Jing B plates are strictly limited to suburban zones such as Tongzhou or Fangshan. Entering prohibited areas with a Jing B plate is illegal and will result in fines and penalty points. Behind these regulations lies a strategy to control traffic congestion. Jing A plates have long ceased new issuance, with prices soaring in the secondary market, whereas Jing B plates are easier to obtain but come with stringent regional restrictions. In enforcement, electronic surveillance covers areas within the Sixth Ring Road, automatically issuing fines upon detecting Jing B plates in prohibited zones. Historically, the distinction began in the 1990s, and post-2020, restricted zones expanded, exacerbating the inconvenience for Jing B plate holders. For riders, assessing travel radius is crucial: those based primarily in suburbs may find Jing B cost-effective and hassle-free, while frequent urban commuters will benefit from Jing A's efficiency despite its high cost. However, the risk of penalties for Jing B violations is significant; adhering to rules and utilizing public transport for city trips is advised. With tightening policies, Jing A plates retain higher value but are hard to acquire, whereas choosing Jing B requires careful route planning.
