Revised traffic restrictions for non-Shenzhen passenger vehicles unveiled

The Shenzhen traffic police authority recently made public a revised traffic-restriction policy for passenger vehicles with non-Shenzhen license plates. The new rules took effect Sept. 17 and remain effective through Sept. 16, 2026.

Under the updated policy, non-Shenzhen registered passenger vehicle are banned from urban roads from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays. However, roads and highways leading to checkpoints, the Shenzhen airport and the Qianhai Ice and Snow World themed park in Bao’an District are exempt from the restriction.

Exempt roads and access routes are:

Major Shenzhen expressways: S3 Guangshen Coastal Expressway, G4 Guangshen Expressway, G15 Jihe Expressway, S33 Nanguang Expressway, S31 Longda Expressway, G94 Meiguan Expressway, S29 Qingping Expressway, G4E Yanpai Expressway and Boshen Expressway, S28 Shuiguan Expressway, S30 Huishen Coastal Expressway, G15 Shenshan Expressway, G25 Changshen Expressway, S86 Outer Ring Expressway and the Eastern Transit Expressway.

Border crossings and access roads:

Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint: S3 Guangshen Coastal Expressway, Dongbin Tunnel, Dongbin Road, Shahe West Road.

Huanggang Checkpoint: G4 Guangshen Expressway, Huanggang Road (Huanggang Checkpoint section), Baihe Road, Tongqing Road, Futian South Road (Huanggang Checkpoint section).

Futian Checkpoint: G4 Guangshen Expressway, Guihua Road, Guohua Road, Yuheng Road.

Luohu Checkpoint: S29 Qingping Expressway, Yuping Boulevard, Nigang Road (Hongling Interchange to Honghu Interchange section), Honghu West Road, Renmin Park Road, Heping Road, Yanhe South Road service lane eastbound (Renmin South Road to Wenjin South Road section).

Wenjindu Checkpoint: S29 Qingping Expressway, Yuping Boulevard, Nigang Road (Hongling Interchange to Honghu Interchange section), Wenjin Road North, Wenjin Road Central, Wenjin Road South.

Shatoujiao Checkpoint: S30 Huishen Coastal Expressway, G4E Yanpai Expressway, Shenyan Road, Shayan Road, Shashen Road.

Liantang Checkpoint: G25 Changshen Expressway, Eastern Transit Expressway.

Shenzhen airport: G4 Guangshen Expressway, G15 Jihe Expressway, Airport South Road, Linghang Elevated Road, Konggang 8th Road.

Bao'an Huafa Ice and Snow World area: Fengtang Boulevard, Zhancheng Road, Shafu Road.

The policy explicitly suspends restrictions during the 2026 Chinese New Year period: from Feb. 9 to March 3, 2026.

Temporary access application process has also been revised. Each month, eligible users can apply once for a one-day, citywide pass through the "Shenzhen Traffic Police" WeChat account. In addition, applicants may apply up to two times (two days) for temporary access specifically for Yantian District, Guangming District and Dapeng New Area.

The authority also introduced a leniency window for non-Shenzhen passenger vehicles: the first two violations within the restricted areas during the one year period will not be punished, from the third violation onward, fines will be imposed.