Will driving a restricted vehicle on the highway result in penalty points?
2 Answers
Driving a restricted vehicle on the highway will result in penalty points and fines. Here is more relevant information: 1. Tail number restriction: Tail number restriction was a policy implemented before the Beijing Olympics to ensure smooth traffic and meet air quality standards. It has now become a long-term policy, aimed at alleviating the traffic burden caused by the rapid increase in vehicles in Beijing and reducing motor vehicle emissions to control air pollution within a reasonable range. 2. Vehicles not subject to restrictions: (1) Police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and engineering rescue vehicles. (2) Public electric buses, interprovincial long-distance passenger vehicles and large buses, Beijing B license plate taxis (excluding rental vehicles), postal service vehicles, vehicles holding tourist bus operation certificates issued by the municipal transportation administrative department, and unit shuttle buses and school buses approved by the municipal public traffic management department. (3) Administrative law enforcement vehicles and special towing operation vehicles with unified body markings performing official duties. (4) Special operation vehicles for sanitation, landscaping, and road maintenance, and funeral vehicles from funeral parlors. (5) Vehicles with "Diplomatic" license plates and vehicles approved for temporary entry. (6) Pure electric passenger cars.
Vehicles with restricted license plates generally do not receive penalty points when driving on highways, as traffic restrictions usually only apply within urban areas, such as city ring roads or central districts, where highway traffic is not constrained. I have driven on highways many times myself, like the stretch from Beijing to Tianjin, and never encountered any issues even when my plate number was restricted. However, it's important to be cautious around certain special sections, especially near city exits, where cameras are often installed. If you accidentally enter a restricted zone and get caught on camera, the police may penalize you with 3 demerit points and a 200-yuan fine for violating traffic rules. In summary, highways are usually exempt from restrictions, but it's best to check your navigation or official announcements before driving to confirm your route and avoid reckless travel. Safety comes first—these days, cameras are everywhere, and avoiding minor losses is always better than regretting them later.
