
Guangzhou's 'Four On, Four Off' refers to: within four days, whether you drive only one day or intermittently over the days, once four days are reached, you must leave the controlled area; you must park within the controlled area for four days to refresh a new driving cycle. The 'Four On, Four Off' policy means that non-Guangzhou registered small and medium-sized passenger vehicles entering the central area of Guangzhou cannot drive continuously for more than four days, and must wait at least four days before entering again. If you enter again before the four-day period is over, you will be fined 200 yuan in cash and receive 3 penalty points for each violation, with a maximum of one penalty per natural day. During statutory holidays, the 'Four On, Four Off' measures are not implemented, and non-Guangzhou registered small and medium-sized passenger vehicles can travel normally within the controlled area, with both driving and parking times counted as parking time.

I just moved to Guangzhou and started driving, and honestly, this 'Drive Four, Rest Four' is a bit of a headache. Simply put, vehicles with non-local license plates can only drive in the urban area for four consecutive days and must then stay out for the next four days. The counting starts from the first day you drive into the restricted zones. For example, if you drive in on Monday, you can drive until Thursday (four days), and then from Friday to the following Monday, you must refrain from driving into those areas. Only after resting for four full days can you start driving again. I usually use a traffic app to monitor the remaining days to avoid exceeding the limit. Violations may result in a fine of 200 yuan per offense, and with so many cameras in the city, it's easy to get caught. When planning trips, I arrange rest days in advance or opt for taxis on no-driving days.

As an experienced driver in Guangzhou, I find the 'Four On, Four Off' rule quite practical. Non-local license plates entering the central area can drive for four consecutive calendar days, then must rest for four days. The counting starts from the first day of entry: for example, if you enter on the 5th, you can drive on the 6th, 7th, and 8th, then must rest from the 9th to the 12th. During the rest days, do not drive into the restricted area to avoid fines. It's advisable to check the app records before heading out to prevent miscalculating the days. The aims to reduce congestion, but occasional accidental violations can result in hefty fines, so caution is advised.

As a cautious driver, I believe the 'Drive Four, Rest Four' emphasizes responsibility. Non-local vehicles entering Guangzhou's restricted areas must rest for four days after driving for four consecutive days. The calculation is based on entering the city and driving for four consecutive days, then resting for four full days. For example, if you enter on the 1st and drive on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, you must avoid driving into the city on the 5th, 6th, and 7th. During the rest period, arrange for breaks or use public transportation. Violations incur a fine starting at 200 yuan, with repeated offenses doubling the penalty. This policy helps improve the environment and avoid congestion—everyone should follow the rules.

From an environmental perspective, the 'Drive Four, Stop Four' encourages green travel. Non-local license plates entering the urban area can drive for four days and then must stop for four days. The calculation starts from the first day entering the restricted area: drive for four consecutive calendar days, then stop for four consecutive days. For example, entering on Tuesday means driving from Tuesday to Friday, stopping from Saturday to the following Tuesday, and resuming driving after the stop period is completed. During the stop period, avoid driving in restricted areas to avoid penalties. Use the traffic mini-program to easily check the remaining days. The policy aims to reduce tailpipe pollution for the benefit of the city, and everyone's cooperation is crucial.

Using technology to manage the 'Drive Four Days, Rest Four Days' rule is super convenient. Non-local license plates are allowed to drive in Guangzhou urban areas for four consecutive days, followed by a mandatory four-day rest period. Apps like 'Sui Traffic' can automatically calculate the driving days by entering the license plate number and remind users of the required rest days. On the first day of entering the restricted zone, the app will push notifications when the four-day driving period is almost up, reminding drivers not to enter the city during the rest period. After resting for four full days, the count resets. If mistakenly entering during the rest period, drivers face fines starting from 200 RMB. Future upgrades may include voice assistant features to prevent forgetfulness, making it even more hassle-free.


