Beijing restricts non-locally registered autos to ease congestion, reduce emission

BEIJING - Beijing on Friday implemented a new traffic restriction policy on automobiles with non-local license plates to drive in urban areas, according to the municipal commission of transport.

The policy was adopted to ease traffic pressure and parking problems, and reduce vehicle emissions, the commission said.

According to the new regulations, all passenger vehicles registered outside Beijing are only allowed to drive inside the city's sixth ring road and Tongzhou District with a special permit issued by the municipal traffic management authorities.

The permit can be applied for no more than 12 times a year for every single non-locally registered vehicle, with a maximum validity of seven days each time. All vehicles should drive outside the defined area before their permits expire.

Drivers can get the permit via a "Beijing traffic police" app on their smartphones, or at any entry checkpoints and issuing counters.

No permit will be required for vehicles with passes for long-distance passenger transportation and inter-provincial tourist transportation, military, armed police vehicles, ambulances and police cars on duty.