What restrictions are there for out-of-town vehicles in Beijing?
2 Answers
Beijing's traffic restrictions for out-of-town vehicles, i.e., motor vehicles with license plates (including temporary plates) issued by other provinces and cities, must comply with the following regulations: Within the Sixth Ring Road: To enter and drive on roads within the Sixth Ring Road (excluding the Sixth Ring Road itself), an entry permit for Beijing must be obtained; Prohibited from entering the Sixth Ring Road: From 6:00 to 24:00 every day, trucks and specialized vehicles are prohibited from entering and driving on roads within the Sixth Ring Road (excluding the Sixth Ring Road itself); Fifth Ring Road: On weekdays from 7:00 to 9:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00, passenger vehicles are prohibited from entering and driving on roads within the Fifth Ring Road (including the Fifth Ring Road itself); from 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, traffic management measures for peak-hour restrictions based on the last digit of the license plate are implemented, with the restricted area being roads within the Fifth Ring Road (including the Fifth Ring Road itself). The rotation method for the last digit of the license plate follows Beijing's motor vehicle license plate last digit rotation method; Second Ring Road main route: On the main route of the Second Ring Road (the entire route), from 6:00 to 22:00 every day, passenger vehicles with license plates (including temporary plates) issued by other provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities are prohibited from passing.
Beijing has quite a few restrictions on non-local vehicles. I often drive here from out of town for business and find that during weekday rush hours, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, non-local vehicles are completely banned from driving within the Fifth Ring Road, including the main roads of the Fifth Ring. A Beijing Entry Permit is mandatory, and I always apply for it through the Beijing Traffic Police App. You only get twelve chances per year, with each permit valid for a maximum of seven days. Violating these rules results in a 200 yuan fine. These regulations aim to reduce congestion and pollution, and they’ve definitely helped cut down on traffic in Beijing. But for commuters like me, it’s a bit of a hassle—I have to plan my schedule in advance to avoid rush hours or simply stay at a hotel outside the Fifth Ring. I’d advise out-of-town friends to use navigation apps to check real-time policies and avoid getting fined.
