Then, buy a car

Go to an auto market where you will find many of Beijing's dealers, which makes it easy to compare models. You can also buy a friend's car but don't rejoice too fast, because the plates cannot be transferred under the new regulation, since they follow the owner.

Once you've bought your car, you will need to get it through a safety and emission test at an official inspection station. If it passes the test, you will get a sticker for your windshield. If there's anything wrong with the car, make the necessary repairs and take the test again.

Finally pay various taxes and get insurance. The purchase tax on a new car is between 5-25 percent of the price of the vehicle depending on different engine capacities. The road tax usually amounts to 110 yuan ($16.7) per month and the annual user tax varies between 300 yuan ($45.7) and 600 yuan ($91.3) depending on the type of the vehicle. Regarding the insurance, at a bare minimum, you are required to purchase third-party liability coverage, which costs more than 1,000 yuan ($152.2) per year for a very modest car.

If you find that process being too much of a hassle, do yourself and the Beijing environment a favor and get a bicycle or use the crowded yet fast-improving public transport system.

Facts about the new traffic regulations

> Private car buyers will receive 88 percent of the city's new license plates.

> Car owners who intend to replace their old vehicles will be automatically given new car plates and won't have to take part in the lottery, while they have to complete transfer of their license plates to their new cars within six months after the purchase quota date;

> Cars registered outside of Beijing will be banned inside the Fifth Ring Road on workdays from 7-9 a.m. and 5-8 p.m.;

> From April 1, 2011, the city's parking lots are divided into three categories and charge different parking fees, which range from 2 ($0.3) to 10 yuan ($1.5) per hour; and

> An individual can apply for a license plate number once every month, and an enterprise can apply once every two months. 

Useful Contacts

> To apply for the lottery and check the results: www.bjhjyd.gov.cn

> To get results by phone: dial 12580

> Automobile Administrative Office (Foreign Affairs Branch): 18 Nansihuan Donglu, Chaoyang District (8610-68399114)