Beijing Automobile License Plate Restrictions Change on Monday, Apr 11

If your no-drive day is Friday, then not only are you pushed off the road at the end of this week, but you won't be able to drive on Monday either, as the next quarterly change in Beijing license plate restrictions go into effect on Monday, April 11.

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Private automobiles with license plates ending in 2 and 7 will be restricted from driving on Mondays; 3 and 8 cannot drive on Tuesdays; 4 and 9 on Wednesdays; 5 and 0 are prohibited from driving on Thursdays; and 1 and 6 will have to end their week using an alternate mode of transportation, until July 10, 2016. Because of the desirability of license plates ending with the number eight, Tuesdays are usually a slightly lighter traffic day, with Wednesdays, and the lighter demand for fours, slightly heavier.

License plate limitations were imposed by the Beijing Municipal Government to reduce pollution and traffic in the city, by eliminated approximately 20 percent of cars each day. However, the program has only been a limited success. The possibility of expanding to a full odd-even scheme that would take about 40 percent of all cars off the road on alternating days was discussed as an anti-pollution measure during the winter, but ultimately failed to gain traction among city leaders, despite some public support.

Cars with the day's designated license plate numbers may not drive within the Fifth Ring Road between 7am and 8pm. Violators face a RMB 200 fine and two points on their license for failing to observe the restrictions.

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