New offices and policy save gas

Beijing will open eight local-level license plate registration centers in as many suburban districts and counties to cope with a sharp increase in car ownership.

People in these areas will be allowed to apply for license plates for newly bought vehicles at these new third-tier vehicle administration stations starting Monday, the Beijing vehicle administration office said yesterday.

The new centers target residents who live in outlying districts or counties, including Fangshan, Tongzhou, Shunyi, Pinggu, Huairou, Miyun, Mentougou and Yanqing, and will handle license applications for compact cars and non-commercially used minibuses. People in these areas who buy larger vehicles such as vans, still need to visit second-tier vehicle administration offices to apply for license plates.