How Foreigners Can Get Driving Licenses in China
I. General Requirement for Driving in China
To drive in China, a Chinese license is necessary. While a fast – tracked option is to get a Temporary Driver’s License, it’s important to note that an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) is not valid for driving in mainland China as China has not signed the relevant convention. Hong Kong -, Macau – or Taiwan – issued licenses are not considered Chinese licenses for this purpose.
II. Options for Foreign Residents to Obtain Chinese Driving Licenses
- Provisional Driver’s License in Major Cities
- In major cities like Beijing, it is quite easy to obtain a provisional driver’s license. One can get it directly from the counters at Beijing Capital Airport without taking any tests.
- Converting IDP to Local License
- Chinese laws allow foreign residents to obtain local licenses by converting their IDP, though an additional examination may be required.
- The process involves a computerized theory test. There are over 1300 multiple – choice questions, and the test consists of 100 questions. A score of 90% or above is required to pass. If you fail, you can take a second test without paying an extra fee.
- In major cities, the tests are available in multiple languages. However, in smaller places, officials may require the test to be taken in Chinese. Some places allow a translator, while others don’t. It is common for translators to also provide correct answers for a fee of up to ¥100.
- Having a foreign license may sometimes exempt you from the actual driving test, but this is not always the case.
- Special Case for Belgian License Holders
- Holders of a Belgian driving license can obtain a six – year – valid Chinese license without taking a test. They need to provide a translation of the license from an official translation bureau, a physical examination certificate from a Chinese hospital, and two photos.
- Converting via Hong Kong License
- One of the easiest ways for a foreigner to get a Mainland license is to first convert their foreign license into a Hong Kong license for about USD120. Then, they can go to China (Guangzhou is relatively easy) and convert the Hong Kong license into a Chinese license.
III. The Process of Obtaining a License by Yourself or with the Help of a Driving School
- Doing It Yourself
- It is possible to pass the test on your own. The paperwork, including test registration, testing, and license collection, is all done at the driving test center (e.g., in Xili for Shenzhen area). However, this requires multiple visits and is time – consuming.
- Using a Driving School
- A better option in Shenzhen is to ask a small driving school to handle the paperwork for you. These driving schools are common. The tests can be taken in English in most places, and it is not difficult to find English – language study materials for the test questions.
IV. Private Tutoring and Driving Practice
In most places, private tutoring is allowed as long as there is common sense and reasonable care are taken. That means at least one person in the car must have a valid license, but it doesn’t have to be the driver.
V. Electric Scooters
In some cities, electric scooters are legally treated like bicycles. Only a bicycle license is needed for registration, which is cheaper and easier than a motorcycle license, and no driver’s license is required to ride them. However, this leads to many traffic law violations. On the other hand, some cities like Guangzhou either completely ban or heavily regulate electric bicycles, and there may be restrictions on where they can be ridden, such as not being allowed in main traffic lanes.
