What are the license plate restrictions in Guangzhou?

[LilyAnn]

Guangzhou's license plate restriction policy prohibits non-local vehicles from operating on certain road sections during weekdays from 7:00 to 9:00 and 17:00 to 19:00. During these hours, non-local passenger vehicles are not allowed to travel. The restricted road sections include: Daguan Road, East Ring Urban Expressway, areas west of the Pearl River waterway, areas north of the Pearl River waterway, east of the border between Baiyun District, Liwan District and Foshan City, north of Guangshan Road, South China Expressway, the third phase of South China Expressway, and south of Yagang Avenue. According to the notice issued by the Guangzhou Traffic Police Department regarding the management measures for non-Guangzhou registered medium and small passenger vehicles, non-Guangzhou vehicles are subject to the 'four-day driving, four-day resting' rule.

[EliasAnn]

Guangzhou's car plate restriction policy is quite strict, mainly aimed at controlling the number of medium and small passenger vehicles to reduce congestion and pollution. As a long-term local resident here, I've seen quite a few policy changes. Basically, individuals or organizations wanting to buy gasoline-powered cars must first obtain a quota through a lottery or bidding system. Local residents can apply as long as they have household registration, but non-residents need to have paid social insurance or personal income tax in Guangzhou for more than two years to participate in the lottery or bidding. The lottery is purely luck-based, held monthly with limited quotas; bidding goes to the highest bidder, with a slightly higher success rate but at greater expense. The quota is valid for one year, and after purchasing a car, the license plate must be registered promptly, otherwise, the quota becomes void. Why such regulations? Guangzhou has too many cars, and rush hour traffic can be unbearable. The policy has indeed alleviated some traffic pressure since its implementation. I think it's quite reasonable, even though I haven't won in several lottery attempts, but taking the subway and buses is quite convenient. If you want to avoid the restrictions, new energy vehicle quotas are easier to apply for, without the need for a lottery or bidding—just submit an application at the counter, making it a great option for environmentally conscious families.

[LaGabriel]

I've been working in Guangzhou for just over a year, and the license plate quota system has been quite a headache. If I want to buy a car, non-local residents like me need to meet social security contribution requirements first—I had to contribute for nearly two years to qualify. The process generally involves a few steps: first, register on the Guangzhou Small and Medium Passenger Vehicle Quota Management System, upload ID documents and other materials, and after approval, you can participate in the monthly lottery or bidding. The lottery is purely luck-based and extremely hard to win; bidding requires a prepared budget, with minimum winning prices ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands, and the competition is fierce. Once you secure a quota, you must purchase a car and register it within the validity period, or the effort is wasted. Honestly, it's quite a hassle, especially for outsiders like me—when I first arrived, I relied on taxis or shared bikes for transportation, which was costly. My advice is to plan ahead, preferably opting for a new energy vehicle quota application, as the process is simpler. Overall, the license plate restriction is well-intentioned for the city, but individuals need to adapt to it.

[LeSilas]

Guangzhou's car plate restriction policy is quite necessary. From an environmental perspective, it helps reduce exhaust emissions and traffic congestion. The main regulation is that applicants for passenger vehicle quotas must obtain them through a lottery or bidding process, with priority given to local residents. Non-residents must meet social security contribution requirements. The lottery system is highly random, while bidding allows those willing to pay more to secure a plate. After the implementation of plate restrictions, traffic flow has decreased, air quality has noticeably improved, and public transportation like subways and buses has become smoother. I believe citizens should support such measures as they encourage a shift towards green transportation. For those who genuinely need a car, opting for new energy vehicles makes the application process easier. However, the long-term effectiveness depends on enforcement efforts.