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China is an extremely scenic country with fascinating cultures that stretch back centuries. Naturally, foreign visitors (like ourselves) often look for ways to do self-drive tours of this vast country. However, for those making such plans, the first and greatest obstacle is often how to get a Chinese driving license. In this blog, we’ll be sharing our experience on how can foreigners get a driving license in China.

Frustratingly, China doesn't accept the use of international driving licenses on its roads, meaning if you're a foreigner and you want to drive here, you'll need to get yourself a Chinese driving license. This is because China has not signed the convention, which created IDPS (International Driving Permits).

The details stated below are standard and as usually is the case in China, the requirements may differ somewhat depending on the city in which you apply.

YOU HAVE ALREADY A DRIVING LICENSE ISSUED BY YOUR COUNTRY.

1 Get your foreign license & Passport  translated

Take your license & passport photocopies to one of the official district notary offices around town , most notary office have diffrent section for translation. Handover copies to them, they will normally do it within 1hr and hand you back translated copies with translation stamp. It cost around 50-60RMB

2 Have all your documents photocopied

Before you set out for the Vehicle Management Bureau (车管所), you should ensure that you have all your paperwork sorted. You'll need:

Your passport, plus a photocopy of the photo page (translated copy) and of your current visa (which must be valid for at least 90 days)

Your temporary registration form from your local police station

Photocopies of both sides of your foreign license along with the original, plus the chopped translation

3 Sort out a health certificate & Photo

You'll also need a document stating that you are healthy enough to drive on the road in China. You can get one of these from whichever hospital you usually attend, but there are also a health check centre at the VMB itself (车管所), which is primed for carrying out the necessary checks. As you're going to be visiting anyway, you might as well do the health check on site. 

Three to five one-inch color photos with a white background. Just like health check up, you can take photo either before visiting VMB or at site, remember to tell the shop that you need to take photo for driving license. With photo they will also give you one receipt just like you get when you take photo for residence permit.

4 Head to the VMB (车管所)

With all your paper work soughted out, It's time to head to VMB (车管所), Once you've gotten your photo and your health form, head in to the main building get an appointment number from information desk. Here, they'll check your materials and send you off for any missing documents. If everything is in order, they'll book you in for a theory exam; usually, the soonest that you can do this is one week from the date of you submitting your documents, but it depends on demand. We recommend going for a slot at least one week from your application because you'll need a bit of time to...

5 Study

It's easy to think that you'll be able to pass the theory test for a Chinese driving license based on your prior driving experience abroad and just general road safety logic. But if you think that, you may well be in for a nasty shock. The interwebs are full of people detailing their failure to pass the required 90 percent on the exams

Rather than rely on your own instincts and experience, you'll need to memorise the answers to the exam questions. There are 1,500 of these from which the 100 you sit will be chosen, though many of them overlap or deal with similar issues. They cover everything from traffic police hand signals and length of jail terms for various offences, to road sign meanings and speed limits.

Again, the best way to ensure success is to simply memorise the answers, especially as the language used can be confusing.The theory test is available in English, Russian, Japanese, Spanish and French, but the questions can often be worded in a way that makes them difficult to understand.

The VMB have a couple of websites that they recommend too, and we also found the Chinese Driving Test website to be a helpful resource.

We really can't emphasise enough how important it is to memorise the answers rather than trust common sense or what you assume to be logical.

6.Take the test

You return to the VMB to sit your test (55RMB), done at one of a bank of computers in a room. Be sure to bring all your paperwork with you for this. You have 45 minutes to complete the exam and once you submit your answers, the computer will tell you immediately whether you've passed or not.

If you're successful, you'll be able to driving license printed right away. You can usually have your new Chinese driving license in your hand within 15 minutes of completing the exam.

If you fail the theory test, you'll need to arrange to sit it again. The test fee drops to 40RMB for resits.

And that's it! you've got your license (usually valid for six years)

Getting chinese driving license first time takes quite a lot of effort but it's totally worth it when you are able to hit the road in your favorite ride.

YOU DON'T HAVE DRIVING LICENSE.

Precondition:

1. Above 18 years old.

2. Have a temporary or permanent residency permit

Documents needed:

1. Passport and residency permit with at least 3 months of validity (original and photocopy).

2. Record of temporary residency obtained at the local police station (original and photocopy).

3. Medical check Report 

4. Three to five one-inch color photos with a white background.

You will still need translation of your passport. Medical check and Photo you can do outside or at VHB. Details we have already discussed above.

Process: You 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

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:

1. 90 days before the driver’s license expired.

2. Driver’s license has not been put in a suspended, canceled or revoked state.

Necessary documents:

1. Residence Permit.

2. A copy of the old and new passport main page.

3. A copy of the valid Chinese visa.

4. A copy of the latest entry stamp on your passport.

5. Original Chinese driver’s license.

6. A 1-inch Digital color photo with a white background along with receipt.

7. Medical Check-Up Report 

* You don’t need to take another test for renewing your license.

TEMPORARY CHINESE DRIVING LICENSE

Provisional driving license is specified to be valid inline with the duration of Chinese visa.

Documents needed:

National driving license (of your home country)

International Driving Permit.

Chinese translation of the foreign driver’s license

Completed application form.

A hotel booking for at least one day.

Three one-inch colored photos with white background.

Process:

It can be obtained directly at the airport or at the traffic police department in the city you are in. 

If you find this article useful, Please share with your friends.

Source: IndiansInChina.com, balukootravel.com, timeoutshanghai.com

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