Desperate Beijing motorists marrying people just so they can secure a licence plate for their car
- Television report shows how drivers are willing to pay more than US$20,000 for a sham marriage with someone who has a valid registration
- City authorities ration the number of plates that allow people to use their cars in the capital as part of efforts to tackle pollution and congestion
Some desperate Beijing motorists are resorting to sham marriages to get round strict licence plate rules that are designed to limit the number of cars allowed on the city’s congested roads.
A report by state broadcaster CCTV that aired on Sunday night claimed that some drivers were willing to pay the equivalent of tens of thousands of US dollars to marry someone with one of the prized plates, have it transferred into their name and then get divorced.
Specialist agencies charge over 160,000 yuan (US$22,700) to help their clients obtain a licence this way for a petrol-driven car, or over 110,000 yuan for an electric-powered one, according to the report.
The scam is the result of a licence lottery first introduced in 2011 to tackle the Chinese capital’s notorious congestion and pollution.
Because of the strict limits on the number of Beijing number plates issued, there are now 2,600 applicants for every one issued for petrol-powered vehicles. Those who wanted a licence for an electric car may have to wait until 2028, the report said.