Traffic management policies refer to the comprehensive framework of laws, regulations, administrative measures, and technical standards formulated to safeguard road safety, optimise traffic flow, and promote green mobility. Amid the continuous rise in vehicle ownership and rapid advancements in intelligent connected technologies, China's traffic management strategy is transitioning from a "control-driven" model dominated by vehicle purchasing and road-space rationing to a "governance-oriented" ecosystem integrating vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity, digital public services, and EV charging infrastructure.
Vehicle road restrictions serve as a conventional urban traffic management measure aimed at easing traffic congestion and curbing tailpipe emissions. Municipalities widely enforce weekday number plate end-digit rationing schemes, typically running from 07:00 to 20:00 within cordoned city-centre zones. In Xingtai, for instance, two rotating end-digits are barred each weekday, with restrictions lifted entirely on statutory public holidays and weekends.
In terms of exemptions, vehicles bearing dedicated New Energy Vehicle (NEV) number plates enjoy unrestricted road access across most cities enforcing traffic curbs. However, Beijing maintains stricter local policies—currently, only locally registered pure electric passenger cars (BEVs) are fully exempt from the end-digit restriction scheme, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) remain subject to travel curbs. Out-of-state NEVs entering the capital must also secure an Entry Permit for Beijing and adhere to all local traffic prohibition and restriction rules.
With the evolution of Intelligent Connected Vehicles (ICVs), traffic policies are expanding from traditional driver-focused regulations to interfacing directly with autonomous and smart onboard systems. The Ministry of Public Security has spearheaded the formulation of four national standards, covering digital identities and data exchange between ICVs and roadside traffic control infrastructure. This standardises the digital broadcasting of traffic signals, enabling ICVs to accurately read and process traffic commands for seamless vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication.
On the infrastructure front, the Ministry of Transport is systematically overhauling mandatory national standards for road signage and road markings. This includes standardising pictograms for e-hailing pick-up bays and EV charging stations, alongside introducing dedicated lane-change lines and incident management zone signs to streamline traffic flow and boost overall road network safety.
The digitalisation of traffic public services has delivered substantial convenience, with over 360 million motorists nationwide now holding digital driving licences. In December 2025, the national standard for "Traffic Management Electronic Certificates and Licences - Motor Vehicle Driving Licence" was officially gazetted, providing robust technical and legal backing for digital licences issued by the traffic police. Drivers can now present their e-licences directly via smartphones during routine checks, insurance claims, and administrative procedures, eliminating the need to carry physical hardcopy cards.
In building a comprehensive road transport standardisation framework, China has to date rolled out 970 national road traffic-related standards spanning automotive safety, highway infrastructure, and traffic management systems. Among these, 88 are mandatory automotive safety standards governing mission-critical aspects of vehicle roadworthiness and passenger protection.
To address intercity EV range anxiety and charging demands, the Ministry of Transport has rolled out dedicated policies. By the end of 2025, a cumulative total of 71,500 EV charging bays were completed across highway Rest and Service Areas (RSAs) nationwide. Over 98% of highway service areas are now fitted with charging facilities, achieving near-complete nationwide coverage barring a few remote, high-altitude, and extreme-cold rest stops.
Under the "Three-Year Doubling" action plan, expressway RSAs will see the addition or retrofitting of over 40,000 high-speed and ultra-fast charging bays rated at 60 kW and above by the end of 2027, with high-power DC chargers accounting for at least 25%. All newly constructed facilities will strictly feature 60 kW and above fast-charging hardware, while existing charging bays undergoing refurbishment will be upgraded to high-power outputs as a baseline requirement.
Looking ahead to the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, traffic management policies will focus on key pillars including intelligent connected vehicles, smart transport infrastructure, and traffic safety governance, fast-tracking the rollout of critical and high-priority standards. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) indicated that, adhering to the principle of "mandating wherever necessary and viable," it will accelerate the development and enforcement of mandatory national standards—such as those for combined driver assistance systems (ADAS)—to complete the regulatory puzzle and solidify the foundation for automotive safety oversight.
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