It's not recognized everywhere. Your IDL/IDP does not allow you to drive legally in every country, just. An International Driver’s License Is A Booklet That Translates Your Domestic Driver’s License Into Many Languages— Making It Easier For You to Rent Vehicles Around the World. If You Have Hired A Car In A Foreign Country– You Can Use An International Driver’s License to Translate Your Domestic Driver’s License To Rental Agencies. China does not recognize the International Driving Permit or other foreign driver’s licenses. Only foreigners with a valid residence permit can apply for a Chinese driver’s license. Tourists are therefore not allowed to drive in China. In 2012 the Ministry of Public Security published Rules of Motor Vehicle Driving License Application. To apply for an IDP from China, follow these simple steps: 1. Click the button below to go to the website of the national IDP provider. Follow the instructions of your national association. Does not accept the International Driving Permit. An International Driver's Permit (IDP) allows you to drive a vehicle in another country, as long as you also have a valid driver's license issued by your state.It is also recognized as a valid form of identification in over 175 countries as well as by many major car rental companies internationally.
- International Driver Licence In China
- Driving Licence In China
- Driving License Online
- China Driving License For Foreigners
By Stephen O’Regan
International Business Advisory
Dezan Shira & Associates
To drive a car in China, you need a Chinese driver’s license. China does not recognize the International Driving Permit or other foreign driver’s licenses. Only foreigners with a valid residence permit can apply for a Chinese driver’s license. Tourists are therefore not allowed to drive in China.
In 2012 the Ministry of Public Security published Rules of Motor Vehicle Driving License Application. This rulebook details the process that a foreigner needs to undertake in order to obtain a Chinese Driving License. Such foreigners generally fall under two categories: foreigners applying for a Chinese Driving License who already have a license in their home countries, and foreigners applying for a Chinese Driving License who do not have a foreign driving license.
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Foreign nationals who have a driver’s license from their home country can apply directly to their city’s Vehicle Administration Office to convert their license. Applicants need to bring the following documents:
- Application form
- Identification Certificate, Work Permit, Passport
- Medical Report issued by designated hospital
- Foreign driving license with Chinese translation
- 1 inch full face photograph on a plain background
With these documents, the applicant must sit a theory test to in order qualify for the license. The theory test consists of 100 random questions out of 900. In order to pass the applicant must correctly answer over 90 percent. In the larger Chinese cities this test is offered in several different languages but for the smaller tier cities they may have no choice to sit the test in Chinese. However, it is permitted to bring a friend/translator to help. For an impression of what the syllabus looks like, click here for the Guizhou Traffic Police version. (English is the bottom link)
After passing the theory test, the Vehicle Administration Office will issue a Chinese driver’s license within five working days. This license only applies to cars. To obtain a license for buses or trucks, the applicant will need to take a practical exam for that vehicle.
Those who do not have a current driving license from their home country have to go through essentially the same process as Chinese nationals. You apply to the Vehicle Administration Office, bring the documents listed above and take the theory test just like foreigners holding a driver’s license from another country. In addition, you will need to take classes and pass several practical driving examinations.This process, depending on what city and the number of applicants, could take anywhere from three months to one year.
Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email china@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. |
In this issue of China Briefing, we have set out to produce a guide to employing foreign nationals in China, from the initial step of applying for work visas, to more advanced subjects such as determining IIT liability and optimizing employee income packages for tax efficiency. Lastly, recognizing that few foreigners immigrate to China on a permanent basis, we provide an overview of methods for remitting RMB abroad.
In this issue of China Briefing, we revisit the Shanghai FTZ and its preferential environment for foreign investment. In the first three articles, we highlight the many changes that have been introduced in the Zone’s first year of operations, including the 2014 Revised Negative List, as well as new measures relating to alternative dispute resolution, cash pooling, and logistics. Lastly, we include a case study of a foreign company successfully utilizing the Shanghai FTZ to access the Outbound Tourism Industry.
In this issue of China Briefing, we provide an overview of the licensing schemes for industrial products; food production, distribution and catering services; and advertising. We also introduce two important types of certification in China: the CCC and the China Energy Label (CEL). This issue will provide you with an understanding of the requirements for selling your products or services in China.
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If you want to become the owner of a driver’s license in China, it is necessary to pass examinations (despite the presence of a driver’s license obtained in another country, including international one, China hasn’t ratified the International Convention establishing the driver’s license of international standard).
The procedure for obtaining the license in China is not an easy one. Nevertheless, it is possible, and we will describe how to do it in this article.
Registration
You must register before taking exams. To do this, apply to the local traffic police. The set of documents should include the following:
- Passport and a copy of the page with the photo.
- Copy of a valid Chinese visa.
- A copy of the page in the passport with the latest stamp on entry into the country.
- Copy of both sides of national or international driving license.
- The official translation of the current license, provided by a certified translator.
- Four passport photos.
- Medical certificate of health status obtained in any hospital.
- Your Chinese name and height in centimeters.
- 200-300 yuan.
A person who doesn’t speak Chinese can use the help of a translator when submitting documents.
A medical examination is limited to visiting an ophthalmologist, measuring height-weight parameters and paying approximately 20 yuan.
After registration, you must complete the application form for taking a theoretical exam. Further, the applicant for license is given a card indicating the time and date of the exam, as well as a booklet with variants of exam questions and useful links to resources, where you can also get the necessary information. The exam itself is taken on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Theoretical exam
Theoretical exam is taken in the administrative office of the transport administration of a particular locality. There can be a separate office for foreigners.
In Shanghai or Beijing, you can take the specified exam in any language. But even if you have to be examined in a remote province, you can take a translator (of course, by paying him).
You can prepare for the exam using the Drive in China app. It is free for Android, paid for iOS. It is a high-quality application. It takes a little time to figure out how it works, but after the adaptation take place, it is very convenient to use it.
When preparing, you should pay special attention to the following sections:
– Road signs;
– Points system and penalties for different offences (however, on the exam, there will be only tickets about violations providing for the largest penalty points – 6 and 12);
– Controls and dashboard indicators;
– Jail time and other penalties for offences;
– Road surface markings;
– Hand signals;
– Minimum and maximum speeds in various situations.
You can prepare for the theoretical exam using the English version of questions, there are just a little more than 1,500 of them. Those who know Chinese well can prepare in this language, there is also this option in the app. At the exam, you can also choose the language of questions, all European languages are available there.
There are 100 questions in the exam in total. Each question contains three answer options. Only one should be chosen. If there are correct answers for at least 90 test questions, the exam is passed. A lot of questions relate to driving on mountain roads and serpentines, as well as speed limits. There is also such a limitation as 30 km/h in Chinese traffic rules.
The exam is taken on a computer in 45 minutes. In case of failure, you can retake it even without additional payment (and immediately, on the same day). But repeated failure will require parting with 50 yuan, and you will have to register for a re-test separately, and take it only after 20 days.
If a person already has any driver’s license (national or international), it is enough for him/her to pass only a theoretical exam in China. The license is issued for five years, regardless of when the visa expires.
International Driver Licence In China
After successfully passing the exam, you need to pay 10 yuan, and after three working days you can get the license: in the same place or with delivery by courier (this should be agreed on the day of passing).
Driving test
You should register for the driving test in advance. There are schools that teach foreigners to drive (a translator is provided). The process takes two to three months and costs from 3,000 to 8,000 yuan, depending on the school and its location. The following documents are needed:
– passport and residence permit valid for at least three months (original and photocopy);
Driving Licence In China
– a confirmation of the temporary place of residence received at the local police station (original and photocopy);
– medical insurance (as a rule, you can obtain it right in this place);
– 3-5 color photos with a white background.
The driving test consists of three parts:
- Skills and parking on the test track.
- Practical driving test.
- A written test of driving rules knowledge (50 questions).
Each exam takes about two hours. If you fail it the first time, you will have to pay a fee at the local traffic police station and pass it again in twenty days.
Driving License Online
The instructor who tests driving skills doesn’t flunk anyone on purpose. If a person is well-oriented on the road, is able to perform the elementary tasks – to start, brake, turn, park – the exam is considered to be passed. But after the practice, the test is taken again – this time on the knowledge of traffic rules. It turns out to be a four-stage system of admission to the right to own the driver’s license (as they call it in China). In part, this is fair – more or less well, this method weeds out those who don’t understand how to behave on the road. Nevertheless, millions of Chinese, even obtained a driver’s license with difficulty, continue to violate traffic rules. Guests of this amazing and beautiful country can be advised to follow the simple rule on the road: “The safest option is to move in the flow”. And in order to finally get to your destination, you should definitely provide yourself with a map and a navigator.
China Driving License For Foreigners
Remember that China is a country with excellent roads. You can and should look at it from the car window, but at the same time not forget about the specifics of Chinese driving. And it is great if you also have an international driver’s license. If you still don’t own it, don’t get upset. It is easy to process an international driver’s license on our website.