Foreigners from any country who wish to drive in China must apply for a Chinese driver’s license. This is because China has not signed the convention, which created IDPS (International Driving Permits). Besides, Chinese Driver’s Licenses are valid in Mainland China only. Residents from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan also need to apply for one to be able to drive in the mainland. The details stated below are based on the laws of the province of Beijing, and is the general case in China, the requirements may differ somewhat depending on the city in which you apply.
Getting a temporary driver’s license
Tourists, who wish to drive in China for a short period of time, can get a temporary driver’s permit for a maximum of three months without needing to pass an exam. Normally, you can obtain this at the traffic police department in the city you are in. In Beijing and possibly in other large cities, it can be obtained directly at the airport.
Necessary documents:
National driver’s license (of your home country);
International Driving Permit;
Chinese translation of the foreign driver’s license (consult the embassy to know where this can be done);
Completed application form;
A hotel booking for at least one day;
Three one-inch color photos with a white background.
In this case you can get a Chinese driver’s license (valid for 6 years) just by passing a written exam. The process and the exam take place in the traffic police department in the city you live in and you may need a prior appointment.
Written exams can be done in English or Chinese. However, in some small cities you may be forced to do them in Chinese (sometimes they may allow you to bring a translator). On the other hand, in some of the main cities of the country, you may even find exams in languages such as Spanish, French, German or Arabic. If you don’t pass, you can repeat it the same day, and if you don’t pass the second time, you have to wait at least 20 days to take it again.
Getting a driver’s license for the first time
If you are over 18 years of age, you have a temporary or permanent residency permit and you don’t have a driver’s license from your home country, you can still get a driver’s license in China. To do this, you’ll have to pass four exams:
1) Written exam on laws and traffic;
regulations and basic concepts on vehicles (100 questions);
2) Parking and basic driving skills test on a track;
3) Written exam on correct driving habits (50 questions);
4) Road test.
Necessary documents:
Passport and residency permit with at least 3 months of validity (original and photocopy);
Record of temporary residency obtained at the local police station (original and photocopy);
Medical certificate;
Three to five one-inch color photos with a white background.
Renewing or Extending existing Chinese Driving License
In this case, you should apply for renewal of the license at the China Police Vehicle Administration within 90 days before its expiration. A license with a 10-year effective period will be given to those whose penalty points are less than 12 in each of the past six years.
The Renewal Condition:
90 days before the driver's license expired.
Driver's license has not been put in a suspended, canceled or revoked state.
Necessary documents:
Residence Permit;
A copy of the old and new passport main page;
A copy of the valid Chinese visa;
A copy of the latest entry stamp on your passport;
Original Chinese driver’s license;
A 1-inch Digital color photo with a white background;
Medical Check-Up Report.
Contact Us
If you have further inquires, please do not hesitate to contact Tannet at anytime, anywhere by simply visiting Tannet’s website english.tannet-group.com, or calling Hong Kong hotline at 852-27826888 or China hotline at 86-755-82143422, or emailing to tannet-solution@hotmail.com. You are also welcome to visit our office situated in 16/F, Taiyangdao Bldg 2020,Dongmen Rd South, Luohu , Shenzhen, China.
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