Foreigners from any country who wish to drive in China must apply for a Chinese Driving License since China has not signed the convention, which created IDPS (International Driving Permits).
Do you know how to apply for a driving license in China? Here is a super useful guidance!
CASE 1
Temporary Driving Permit
Tourists, who wish to drive in China for a short period of time, can get a temporary driving permit for a maximum of three months without needing to pass an exam. Normally, you can obtain this at the traffic police department in the city you are in. In Beijing and possibly in other large cities, it can be obtained directly at the airport.
Necessary Documents
National driving license (of your home country)
International Driving Permit.
Chinese translation of the foreign driving 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.
CASE 2
A foreigner who has Driving License In your own country
and Chinese Resident Permit.
In this case you can get a Chinese driving license (valid for 6 years) just by passing a written exam in the traffic police department in the city where you live and you may need a prior appointment.
Written exams can be done in English or Chinese. However, in some small cities you may be forced to do them in Chinese (sometimes they may allow you to bring a translator). On the other hand, in some of the main cities of the country, you may even find exams in languages such as Spanish, French, German or Arabic.
The exam consists of answering 100 multiple choice questions, lasts 45 minutes, and you pass by getting more than 90% of the answers right.
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Can You Pass Chinese Driving License Test ? Have A Try !
Websites to prepare for the exam
http://www.chinesedrivingtest.com/
http://www.chinesedriverslicensetest.com/ (Paid)
*There are two chances for you to finish this exam. But if you still fail, you have to wait at least 20 days to take it again.
Necessary Documents
Passport and residence permit or Chinese Visa with at least three months of validity (original and photocopy).
Record of temporary residence registration obtained at the local police station (original and photocopy).
Driving license from your home country (original and photocopy).
Certified and notarized translation of the driving license from the home country to Chinese language (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 (complete health check-up done at a city hospital).
Three to five one-inch color photos with a white background.
CASE 3
Getting a driving 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 driving license from your home country, you can still get a driving license in China.
Examination form
Written exam on laws and traffic.
regulations and basic concepts on vehicles (100 questions).
Parking and basic driving skills test on a track.
Road test.
Written exam on correct driving habits (50 questions).
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
Three to five one-inch color photos with a white background.
CASE 4
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
90 days before the driving license expired.
Driving license has not been put in a suspended, canceled or revoked state.
Necessary Documents
Residence Permit.
A copy of the old and new passport main page.
A copy of the valid Chinese visa.
A copy of the latest entry stamp on your passport.
Original Chinese driving license.
A 1-inch Digital color photo with a white background.
Medical Check-Up Report.
* You don’t have to take another test for renewing your license.
Sources:
http://www.dalianlaowai.com/
http://www.saporedicina.com/
http://www.validusa.com/
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HACOS,Business Services Solutions Master