In this article you will find a summary of the information you need to be able to drive in mainland China.
Driving in China – Index
- In mainland China, you can’t drive with an International Driving Permit (IDP), nor with permits obtained in Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan.
- This article is based on the laws of the province of Beijing, and as usually is the case in China, the requirements may vary slightly depending on the city in which they apply.
- Written exams can be done in English or Chinese. Nonetheless, in some small cities, you may be forced to do them in Chinese (sometimes they may authorize you to bring a translator). On the other hand, in some of the main cities of the country, you may even find exams in other languages (such as Spanish, French, German or Arabic).
Getting a temporary driver’s license
For people traveling to China for a short period of time, including tourists, they 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 (车管所) in the city you are in. In Beijing and possibly in other large cities, it can be obtained directly in the airport.
Necessary documents:
- National driver’s license.
- 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.
Chinese driver’s license
Getting a Chinese driver’s license if you already have one from another country
If you have a residency permit and a driver’s license from another country, 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 (车管所) in the city you live in and you may need a prior appointment.
The exam consists of answering 100 multiple choice questions, lasts 45 minutes, and you pass by getting more than 90% of answers right. If you don’t pass, you can repeat it at that time, and if you don’t pass the second time, you have to wait at least 20 days to take it again.
Necessary documents:
- Passport and resident permit with at least three months of validity (original and photocopy).
- Record of temporary residence obtained at the local police station (original and photocopy).
- Driver’s license from the other country (original and photocopy).
- Certified and notarized translation to Chinese of the driver’s license from the other country (In many places, such as Beijing, you only need to provide a translation signed by a Chinese national and bring the copy of his/her ID card).
- Medical certificate (normally you can get this at the same place).
- Three or five one-inch color photos with a white background.
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 another 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.
Each exam can be taken twice. If you fail, you’ll have to pay the fee again and wait at least 20 days.
To get your license, you’ll have to sign up for a driving school. There are some driving schools which specialize in foreigners or which accept foreigners. There are even some which allow you to bring along a translator. It normally takes 2 to 3 months and 3,000 to 8,000 Yuan (fees, theory classes and on-road practice) depending on the driving school and the city.
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 (normally this can be obtained in the same place).
- Three to five one-inch color photos with a white background.
Web pages and apps to study for the written exam
Chinese Driving Test: Web page with tests to prepare for the exam.
Jiakao Baodian: App to practice for the test in Mandarin.
Chinese Driving Licence Test: Webpage and app to practice for the test in English (not free).
Frequently asked questions
For example, in New York, Ohio and Oregon you’ll have no problems. However, in Connecticut and Arkansas you need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) first. This should be done in your home country (i.e China).
However, you should not rent a car if you’re a foreigner and don’t have a temporary driving permit. And I advise you to not drive in the bigger cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. The subway and taxis are more convenient, safer, and cheaper.
Photo Credits: 
Shanghai, China by hanklee_photo
Hey, so I`ve got my residence permit and I have my international driving license from my country. I wnat to pass this test before I leave china, but apparently I would have like very short time to do this, cause I`m planning to leave much earlier than my residence permit is finished. How much time does it take to actually obtain the license after successfully passing the test? and can somebody else help me to get this license from the traffic police department after?
You only have to pass the written test if you already have a license. Once you pass the test it will take a bit of time to get it but I can’t tell you how much time.
It depends on the place you are applying, but I doubt it will be more than a week
Do you know how i can find a driving school that can accept foreigners in Qingdao? thanks
Hi there, sorry, no idea
how about Shanghai or Shenzhen?
Hi,
Anyone knows a good driving school in shanghai accepting foreigners?
Hi
I know how to obtain a driving license in Shanghai, I can recommend you a driving instructor with English speaking support.
Drop me an email if you are interested in.
Hello I stay in Nanjing so if you could tell me where to find a foreign accepting school?
Hello, am living in yiwu. Am looking for driving teachers who can speak English
I am looking for a driving school and instructor
I am in Shanghai. Contact me
Hi pls can u tell me driving school can accept foreign in Shanghai or Nanjing
thanks
Hi Yi Zhao, i am looking for English speaking instructor in Shanghai, Min hang, If you can suggest me any ?
Hi, the info on getting a temporary DL above, is that still valid? And does your visa class matter?
Hi there, sorry, we don’t the answer to your questions
Hi, why you choose this figure as an illustration? Tractor driver’s license? In remote countryside?
There’s no specific reason, I just find this pic beautiful. Chinese countryside in the eyes of some foreigners have a special beauty
Hi can I driving on China high speed way? Or I need to wait for 1 year? I already change my Mauritius driving license to a Chinese driving license.
Thx you
Sorry but we don’t know these details
For driving on high speed way, it’s not allowed to drive alone in the first 12 months after you got your Chinese driver’s license. You must accompanied by a 3-year (or over) experienced driver whose driving type/class is the same or higher than yours (if you drives C2, he/she must be C2, C1 or higher). After 12 months, you’re “free”. :)
Hi!
I don’t have a driving license from my country, so I applied for one here in China.
Did all the steps, passed the first three exams, but yesterday I went to do the fourth one and they told me it is not available in english, and they didn’t let me use a translator.
Does anyone know which city has the fourth exam in english?
Hello Maria, sorry, no idea. Ask to google!
Did you find an answer ?
Also are you in shanghai or in a small city?
Hi Maria how did you find a driving school that across foreigners? would appreciate your help. thanks
Hey have you been to any driving school?
Hi
I already have a Chinese driving licence (for car) converted from my Euro one – I just did the written test and the physical. I recently renewed it for another 10 years which was also very easy.
Here’s the question I can’t find an answer to: can I now add motorcycle to my Chinese licence ? I also have motorcycle on my Euro licence. Is it the same process or do I have to do the whole thing, practical exam, lessons etc. ?
If anyone knows – thanks :)
Hello Mark, sorry, we don’t know the answer
Hi Sborto.
Regarding a new license. You mentioned one has to enroll in a driving school? Is that mandatory if not then what’s the procedure like.
Hi Aneeta, as far as I know you have to enroll to a driving school to be able to get your license.
Thanks this is very helpful. If I obtain a temporary license in Beijing can I also drive with the car outside of Beijing. For instance, to Xi’an?
Hello Patrick, sorry, no idea
HI, I have a provisional driving license from the UK, i need to start from the beginning. Which cities and places in china offer english services for the road test? don’t speak chinese and worried i won’t be able to find an english speaking driver?
Thanks
This kind of services you can get it in big cities with big expat community like Beijing,Shanghai and Guangzhou. It’s also possible you can also find it in second tier cities like Tianjin, Nanjing, Suzhou or similar cities
I have a valid US driver’s license and fulfill all the above mentioned requirements for obtaining a Chinese driver’s license. However, I was told that there is an age limit of 70 years. I understand that this governs first time applicants, however, I am not sure whether this age limit would also apply to me since I am in possession of a valid license without any restrictions.
Thank you for any help.
Hello Tang,
I’m sorry but I don’t know the answer to your question
Hi Sborto, you might want to add http://www.chinesedriverslicensetest.com to your list of websites which has the latest set of questions and an excellent training system. The App you mentioned above as well as the websites are a bit outdated (The only App with all the questions is Drive in China), new questions have been added recently.
Thank you so much for the update, I’ll check it out
Is possible to get a new license without a residente permit. Ive a visa valid for 6 months. I’ve a temporary residence tho (from police station)
Sorry Brian, no idea
Thanks, all related englisch web pages work perfect and I passed my test today
: )
Hi Sborto, This is excellent information and extremely helpful, many thanks! I would love some advice if its not too much trouble :) I’m chinese and a driving instructor from london, UK, I’m interested in moving to Guangzhou to become an instructor for foreigners/expats who live there, i would be grateful if you have any advice for me. Many thanks! Vinh
Hello Vinh,
sorry, we dont have experience with this!
I passed my exam with a score of 96. I used the IOS App “Drive in China” and the website http://www.beebright.biz which have the FULL question set of 2015 with 1300 questions. According to the website more than 8000 passed exams with this material. Was worth the money ! You can’t even buy a beer for what they charge :-) . Anyway, good luck to everyone.
Thank you for the comment!
Thanks a lot! This was extremely helpful! :)
: )
Wow, thank you so much for posting this. You’re the only one I’ve found to write about what to do if you don’t have a valid driver’s license. My husband’s has expired since we’ve come here, but I still have a valid license. However, he is a better driver and I’m afraid to drive in China. Do you HAVE to take lessons or can you just try to pass the road test without? Another thing I heard might be possible would be that I get the license but he drives, would that be okay if he was in the car with me, the licensed driver, or does he need a permit for that? I can’t thank you enough for your post.
Hi April, you can get the road test without attending to class, you can just use the webpages at the end of the article to study, about the practical test if your husband don’t have a valid license, probably you can do the test also without attending to class, however it’s better to attend at least one class to know more or less how is the test.
No you cannot let your husband drive without licence.
This is perfect! Excellent info and recommendation of apps, thanks so much. I only have one question, are all the tests/exams in Chinese or could they also be taken in English?
As I said in the article, the tests are supposed to be also in English, but in small cities or less international provinces they might not have them.