Recently announced regulations to ease traffic congestion in Beijing will result in a new system being introduced to apply for a license-plate. Earning the right to drive in the capital will not only be more difficult, but you will need to have some luck.

Starting in 2011, car buyers in Beijing will draw ballots to get their license-plates.

Applicants need to first have a unique registration code.

There are two ways to obtain it. Car buyers can either register on website, or, if they have no access to the Internet, go to the administrative offices with full personal documents.

On the 25th of every month, a list will be announced with all applicants who are qualified for the ballot draw. Then on the 26th, numbers will be drawn from the pool. Individuals who failed to get a license-plate will automatically go to the next round.

A global survey conducted this year by IBM said Beijing is tied with Mexico City for the world's worst commute. Concerns are growing that Beijing is choking future growth as it gets more difficult to move people and goods around the city.

It's against this backdrop that the Beijing Municipal Government finally decided on harsh rules to curb the growth of cars in the city.

Only 200,000 vehicles can be registered every month next year, compared to the city's population of 19 million.

The government said around 88 percent of the quota will go to private car buyers. Two percent will be for commercial use. And the remaining 10 percent is available for companies and government institutions.

And they also make it clear that the policy can be flexible, depending on the road conditions.

(CNTV.cn December 31, 2010)