TIP | How to get a driver's license in China as a foreigner?

Unfortunately, China does not approve any international or foreign driver's license, even those issued in Hong Kong or Macau. For foreigners that want to drive in China, they must get a Chinese Driver's License. 

The process for foreigners to get a Chinese Driver's License can be complicated and confusing. Below, we will lay out some tips to help you through this process!

How to get a Chinese driver's license with a foreign driver's license?

Answer: If you apply for a Chinese driver’s license with a foreign driver’s license, you need to submit the applicant’s identity certificate (passport and valid visa for more than 90 days or residence permit in mainland China), Health Certificate issued by a medical institution above the county level, and your foreign driver’s license.

If there is no Chinese on the foreign driver's license, a Chinese translation must be submitted together. Among them, subjects applying for large passenger cars, tractors, medium-sized buses, and large trucks should take subject one and Subject Three; those applying for other models including small cars should take Subject One.

China Driving License vs Provisional Driving Permit

China offers two types of driving license: a full Chinese Driving License and a Provisional Driving Permit. 

The full Chinese Driving license is for those on a long-term visa (more than 90 days) or residence permit in mainland China.

The Provisional Driving Permit is for those on a short visit or business trip in China. This is a temporary license that is typically only valid for the duration of your Chinese visa, up to 90 days. The provisional driving permit must be used in conjunction with your foreign driving license

For Provisional Driving Permit:

For Chinese Driving License:

It should be reminded that the foreign driver's license must be a non-temporary valid driver's license with individual driving qualifications. If the driver's license exceeds the validity period, the temporary driver's license or the endorsement of driving restrictions, etc., it cannot be applied. The application that is the staff of foreign embassies, consulates, or representatives of international organizations in China shall be implemented in accordance with the relevant diplomatic reciprocity principles. If a foreign driver’s license holder has applied to obtain a Chinese driver’s license and necessary to take the test, the test shall be completed within three years from the date of acceptance by the vehicle management department.

How to convert to a Chinese driving license

If you have a valid foreign driver's license, you can simply apply for a Chinese driver's license to drive the same type of vehicle(s) listed on your foreign license. 

The issuance of driving license in China is under the authority of the traffic police department (车管所). Each major city should have its own branch of this office.

Shanghai Vehicle Management Bureau (SVMB) -The first branch

上海市浦东新区华夏西路2999号

No.2999 West Huaxia Road Pudong New District

(which is the only SVMB address for foreign driver’s license replacement)

Workdays from 8:30 to 17:00   021-62690606

What are the procedures?

Step 1: Translate Your Foreign License

Submit documents including translation for your foreign license and pay fees at the business hall of the vehicle management department；Shanghai Vehicle Management Bureau (SVMB)

Step 2: Documents Required

• Make a driving test appointment, take and pass the examination

• (Private car and light goods vehicle, with applying A1. A2, B1 B2 drivers’ Licenses, completion of the Subject Three examination is a must);

• Take photos and health form for physical examination in SVMB

• And then you will get:

• official photograph taken for your Chinese driver’s license (you can’t use your own photos);

• Health certificate for the motor vehicle driver;

• Application form for the motor vehicle driver

Register the theory test once you get all the materials above!!

We suggest to arrive before 13:00 and you might have the test in the same day to get the driver’s license!!

Step 3: Apply at Local Traffic Police Department

Obtain the driving license from the vehicle management department.

How to pass the theory test

The theory test involves 100 questions to be completed in 45 minutes, with a passing grade of 90%. The exam covers everything from traffic police hand signals and length of jail terms for various offenses, to road sign meanings and speed limits. 

Get the “驾考宝典app” in Chinese or you can visit the website below for English version(Scan code below): 

You can choose different languages for theory test such as English, Japanese, Spanish and French, but the questions can often be worded in a difficult way. So keep practice and get more than 90 in the test!!!

You might think that you will be able to pass the theory exam for a Chinese driving license based on your prior driving experience abroad and just general road safety logic. You would be wrong. Rather than relying on your own instincts and experience, you will need to memorize the answers to the exam questions, which will require that you STUDY!!

You will know the result once you finished since it’s a computer-based test.

If you fail the theory test, you'll need to arrange to sit it again. The test fee drops to 40RMB for retakes. It depends when you get the new Chinese driving license once you pass the test. You can usually get it within one or two days.

And that's it! Once you've got your license (usually valid for six years), check out one of the numerous cheap car rental services in Shanghai and plan your next road trip with some of our favourite nearby destinations below.

Types of license

Learn to Drive in China

If you do not have a foreign driver’s license, you can still get a driver's license in China, as long as you are over 18 years of age and have a temporary or permanent residency permit.

You will need to take a driving training course provided by a local driving school and pass the four required exams:

• Written theory exam on laws and traffic regulations and basic concepts on vehicles (100 questions). This is similar to the theory exam mentioned above.

• "Xiao Lu" Road test on parking and basic driving skills on a track. This takes place around 5 weeks after the written test. Candidates have to learn to perform 5 short technical items: 2 parking tests, 2 zigzagging tests, driving up a slope.

• "Da Lu" Road test, that is an actual on-road driving test. This takes place around 3 weeks after the Xiao Lu test.

• Written exam on correct driving habits (50 questions).

Each exam can be taken twice. If you fail, you’ll have to pay the fee again and wait at least 20 days. The entire process, including testing, takes around 2-3 months, and costs from 3000 to 8000RMB, depending on the driving school and the city.

To make driving in China possible, we can convert a foreign or international driving license into a Chinese one. To begin this process, you must provide the appropriate materials and our agents will complete the conversion.

~Regina

CONTRIBUTOR

Crystal Liu

&

Maggie Feng

(AnyHelper Volunteer)

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