You need to read this before traveling by car in China｜Driver’s License Conversion Guide

Maybe you have plans to travel by car in China? Want to drive a car across the open world like them?

Passing through Cangshan and Erhai Lake, overlooking the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Pass the Sichuan-Tibet line and stop by the sister lake

Speeding wildly in the autumn grasslands of Inner Mongolia…………………….

Stop! Are you eligible to hit the road before this?
According to my country’s Road Traffic Safety Law, to drive a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle driver’s license shall be obtained in accordance with the law. And foreign driver’s licenses cannot be used directly in my country! You need to apply for a temporary driver’s license or renew a Chinese driver’s license to get on the road happily!

If you are coming for a short visit (temporary driver’s license)
If you’re only traveling for a short period of time, then a temporary driver’s license is perfect for you! The revised “Regulations on the Administration of Temporary Entry Motor Vehicles and Drivers” by the Ministry of Public Security came into effect on January 1, 2007. Foreigners can apply for a temporary driver’s license with a validity period of not more than 3 months (non-extendable). According to this provision:
To apply for a temporary motor vehicle driving license, the applicant shall fill in the “Temporary Motor Vehicle Driving License Application Form” in Chinese, and submit the following certificates and vouchers:
(1) Entry and exit identity documents;
(2) For the overseas motor vehicle driving license, if it is not expressed in Chinese, a Chinese translation shall also be issued;
(3) Documents proving that age and physical conditions meet the requirements for a Chinese driving license;
(4) Two 1-inch color photos (recent half-length bareheaded frontal white background);
(5) Those participating in organized tourism, competitions and other exchange activities shall also submit certificates issued by the relevant competent authorities in China.
The traffic management department of the public security organ shall review the application materials within 3 days from the date of receipt of the application materials, and if they meet the requirements, organize the study of road traffic safety laws and regulations, and issue a temporary motor vehicle driving license. [1]
How to apply for a temporary driver’s license at the airport
This is the most convenient way to handle it at present. Take Beijing Capital Airport as an example:
– There is a vehicle management service station in Terminal 3 of Capital Airport
– You can apply with a one-inch ID photo with a white background, a passport and a driver’s license of the country where you are located.
– There is a camera on the 3rd floor near the H17 counter to take photos with a white background.
– The first aid station on the second floor of the airport can apply for a health certificate.
If you have a car or bring a car into the country, a temporary driver’s license may not be suitable. To be precise, a temporary driver’s license can only be used for short-term use when leasing a vehicle, and it cannot be extended!
The relevant application regulations and temporary entry regulations in Beijing and Shanghai are attached here for reference~

http://jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/93950/jwgk/jsrgl/203470/index.html
http://sh.bendibao.com/zffw/2015528/133301.shtm
http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2007/content_772748.htm

Long-term residency and have a foreign driver’s license? (driver’s license conversion)
A foreign driver’s license cannot be used directly, but you can apply for a Chinese driver’s license with a foreign driver’s license. You don’t need to take the practical test, you only need to pass the theoretical written test! According to the “Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses”, foreigners, who should apply for a motor vehicle driving license at their place of residence or residence, should fill in the application form and submit the following certificates and vouchers. :
(1) The identity certificate of the applicant;
(2) A certificate of physical condition issued by a medical institution at or above the county level. Those who belong to the personnel of foreign embassies, consulates and representative offices of international organizations in China shall apply according to the principle of diplomatic reciprocity;
(3) The motor vehicle driver’s license. If it is a non-Chinese expression, a Chinese translation should also be issued.
If applying for a motor vehicle driving license with an overseas motor vehicle driving license, subject one shall be taken. Those who apply for a motor vehicle driving license of a large passenger car, tractor, medium passenger car or large truck shall also take subject three. Those who belong to the personnel of foreign embassies and consulates in China and personnel of representative offices of international organizations in China shall follow the principle of diplomatic reciprocity. [2]
Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses (Order No. 123 of the Ministry of Public Security) (www.gov.cn)

Summary: To renew a Chinese driver’s license, you need to do:
– Translate foreign driver’s license into Chinese
– Have the required documents ready, including:
1. Translated foreign driver’s license
2. The applicant’s health certificate (a medical institution at or above the county level))
3. “Temporary Motor Vehicle Driving Permit Application Form” filled out in Chinese
4. One-inch photo with white background (old photos cannot be used)
5. Applicant’s identity certificate (passport and visa valid for more than 90 days, some areas require a temporary residence certificate at the police station)
– Submit all materials and pay fees to the business hall of the local vehicle management office in China
– Take the theory test (subject 1) (the driving test book in various languages ​​is attached at the end of the text)
– Apply for a driver’s license at the local traffic police department in China
requires attention:
– Those who apply for a motor vehicle driver’s license of a large passenger car, tractor, medium passenger car, or large truck shall also take the examination for subject three.
– Subject 1 exams in Jiangsu Province can be used in six languages, including Japan, South Korea, English, French, German, and Russian. In Shenzhen, seven languages ​​can be used: Russian, French, Japanese, Western, English, Korean, and Arabic. In Beijing, eight languages ​​can be used. You can call local vehicle management offices.
Don’t have a driver’s license yet? (Driving license test process)
If you don’t have a driver’s license and want to get a Chinese driver’s license, the way for foreigners to get a driver’s license is exactly the same as that of a Chinese. You need to pass four tests to get a driver’s license:
According to the “Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses”, the content of the motor vehicle driver test is divided into road traffic safety laws, regulations and related knowledge test subjects (hereinafter referred to as “subject 1”), field driving skills test subjects (hereinafter referred to as “” Subject 2″), road driving skills and general knowledge of safe and civilized driving test subjects (hereinafter referred to as “subject 3”). [3]
– Subject 1: Written theory test (100 questions, 90 passing marks) on laws and traffic regulations and basic concepts of vehicles. This is also an item that requires a test to renew a driver’s license.
– Subject 2: Commonly known as “Small Road Test”, it will be conducted about 5 weeks after the written test. The specific time depends on the appointment of the driving school. Candidates are required to complete 5 short technical items: two types of parking (reversing and side parking), two “zigzag” tests, and braking and starting on an incline.
– Subject 3: The “big road” road test, the actual road driving test. The test is held about 3 weeks after the road test, and the specific time also depends on the driving school appointment.
– Subject 4: Written test on correct driving habits (50 questions, the full score is still 100 points, 90 points are qualified) Subject 4 can choose the same language as Subject 1.
All the above exams need to be booked online and taken offline. There are two chances for each test, if you fail the first two times, you will need to pay a make-up test fee and wait at least 20 days before you can take the test again. The whole process of obtaining a driver’s license takes about 2-3 months, and the cost ranges from 5,000 to 30,000 yuan, depending on the driving school, city and applicant’s level of study.
When registering, you need to bring:
– passport
– Visa for more than 90 days
– Temporary residence certificate issued by the police station
Most driving schools are mainly in Chinese, but foreign friends don’t have to worry too much. Young people are mainly learning to drive, which is very suitable for exchange and learning together~
Under 18? Dabaa!
According to the “Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses”, those who apply for a small car, a small automatic transmission car, a small automatic transmission passenger car for the disabled, and a moped may be over the age of 18 and under the age of 70.
It’s good to drive, but it’s still legal to travel!

[1] Article 13 of “Regulations on the Administration of Temporary Entry Motor Vehicles and Drivers”
[2] Articles 17, 21 and 29 of “Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses”
[3] Article 22 of “Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses”
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