What are the requirements for foreigners to apply for a temporary Chinese driver’s license?
A temporary driver’s license is actually a Temporary Motor Vehicle Driving Permit. According to regulations, foreigners holding a valid foreign driver’s license who enter China for a short stay can apply for a Temporary Driving Permit valid for 3 months. If their stay exceeds 3 months, the permit’s validity can be extended up to 1 year.
Eligibility for Application
The Temporary Motor Vehicle Driving Permit is applicable only to the following foreign individuals who enter the People’s Republic of China temporarily (no more than 3 months), hold a valid foreign driver’s license, and need to drive in China:
- Foreign motor vehicles and drivers approved by Chinese national authorities to enter China temporarily for organized tourism, competitions, or other exchange activities.
- Foreign motor vehicles and drivers who only drive within a specified border area after entering China.
- Foreign drivers who need to drive leased Chinese motor vehicles after entering China.
Temporary drivers of foreign motor vehicles who enter China can drive either their own vehicles that have temporarily entered the country or vehicles they have rented in China.
Approved Vehicle Classes
Applicants can apply for vehicle classes matching those stated in their foreign driver’s license, subject to the following rules:
- For those driving their own temporarily imported vehicles, the approved vehicle class must also match the type of their own vehicles.
- For those driving leased Chinese vehicles, the approved classes are limited to Small Car (C1) and Small Automatic Car (C2).
Application Regulations for Temporary Driving Permit
- Foreign drivers entering China and driving their own temporarily imported vehicles, with the entry point or starting point in the city, must apply for the permit at the local public security traffic management department.
- Foreign drivers driving leased Chinese vehicles must apply at the traffic management department of the municipality directly under the Central Government or the city with district-level administration where the vehicle leasing company is located.
- Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan residents, Chinese citizens residing abroad, and foreign nationals holding French-issued driver’s licenses (classes AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE) who stay in China for no more than 1 year and meet the requirements of the Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver’s Licenses may apply directly for a temporary driving permit valid up to 1 year without medical exams, training, or tests. The approved classes are B1, B2, C1, C2, D, E, F.
- C1/C2 classes are limited to leased cars.
- B1/B2/D/E/F classes are limited to self-brought temporarily imported vehicles.
- Similarly, holders of Serbian-issued driver’s licenses (14 classes including AM, A1, etc.) meeting the same conditions may apply for a temporary permit valid up to 1 year, with approved classes C1, C2, D, E, F.
- C1/C2: only for leased cars.
- D/E/F: only for self-brought temporarily imported vehicles.
Driving Regulations
Motor vehicle drivers who temporarily enter China shall comply with the following regulations when driving.
- Obey China’s road traffic safety laws, regulations, and rules.
- Drive within the designated areas or routes stated on the temporary vehicle license plate.
- Stop for inspection when requested by traffic police, and present entry/exit documents, the Temporary Driving Permit, and the foreign driver’s license with its Chinese translation.
- Violators of traffic laws must accept handling by Chinese traffic management authorities.
- In case of a traffic accident, stop immediately, protect the scene, rescue the injured, and promptly report to traffic police or authorities, then accept legal handling.
How do foreigners apply for a Temporary Motor Vehicle Driving Permit in China?
1. Eligibility Criteria
- Age requirements
- Physical fitness requirements
| Physical Requirement | Details |
| Height | For applying for permitted vehicle types such as large passenger cars, heavy tractor – trailers, city buses, large goods – carrying vehicles, and trolleybuses, the height should be 155 cm or above. For applying for medium – sized passenger cars, the height should be 150 cm or above. |
| Vision | For applying for permitted vehicle types such as city buses, large goods – carrying vehicles, trolleybuses, or tramcars, the naked – eye vision or corrected vision of both eyes should reach 5.0 or above on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. For other permitted vehicle types, the naked – eye vision or corrected vision of both eyes should reach 4.9 or above on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. For those with single – eye vision impairment, if the naked – eye vision or corrected vision of the better eye reaches 5.0 or above on the logarithmic visual acuity chart, and the horizontal visual field reaches 150 degrees, they can apply for a motor vehicle driving license for permitted vehicle types such as small cars, small automatic – transmission cars, low – speed goods – carrying vehicles, three – wheel motor vehicles, and small automatic – transmission passenger cars for the disabled. |
| Color Vision | No red – green color blindness. |
| Hearing | Both ears should be able to distinguish the direction of the sound source at a distance of 50 cm. For those with hearing impairment but who can meet the above conditions when wearing a hearing – aid device, they can apply for a motor vehicle driving license for small cars and small automatic – transmission cars. |
| Upper Limbs | Both hands should have sound thumbs, and each hand should have at least three sound fingers, with normal limb and finger movement functions. However, for those with terminal finger amputation or the left hand having three sound fingers and both hands having intact palms, they can apply for a motor vehicle driving license for permitted vehicle types such as small cars, small automatic – transmission cars, low – speed goods – carrying vehicles, and three – wheel motor vehicles. |
| Lower Limbs | Both lower limbs should be intact with normal movement functions, and the difference in length should not exceed 5 cm. For those with a missing left lower limb or loss of movement function of the left lower limb but with a normal right lower limb, they can apply for a motor vehicle driving license for small automatic – transmission cars. |
| Trunk and Neck | No movement function impairment. |
| Right Lower Limb, Both Lower Limbs Missing or Losing Movement Function but Able to Stand Independently | For those whose upper limbs meet the physical condition requirements, they can apply for a motor vehicle driving license for small automatic – transmission passenger cars for the disabled. For those with one palm missing, the other hand having a sound thumb and at least two sound fingers, normal upper limb and finger movement functions, and lower limbs meeting the body condition requirements, they can apply for a motor vehicle driving license for small automatic – transmission passenger cars for the disabled. |
Ineligible cases (cannot apply for a permit):
① Suffering from organic heart disease, epilepsy, Meniere’s disease, vertigo, hysteria, Parkinson’s disease, mental illness, dementia, or nervous system diseases affecting limb movement.
② Addicted to drugs or dependent on psychotropic drugs without recovery.
③ Submitting invalid documents or proof.
④ Failing to meet China’s legal application requirements.
⑤ Having unresolved traffic violations or accident records from previous visits to China.
⑥ Having a record of hit-and-run driving in China.
⑦ Other circumstances stipulated by laws or administrative regulations.
2. Required Documents
Applicants must fill out the Temporary Motor Vehicle Driving Permit Application Form in Chinese and submit the following:
- 2 recent 1-inch front-facing bareheaded photos with a white background.
- Entry/exit identification documents:
- For Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan residents: Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong/Macao Residents, Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, or People’s Republic of China Travel Permit issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- For foreigners: Passport or other valid entry/exit documents, valid visa or stay/residence permit, or Foreigner Permanent Residence ID Card. For visa-exempt individuals, the entry passport or other valid documents suffice.
- Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan residents holding a Residence Permit for Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan Residents do not need to submit additional entry/exit documents.
- Valid foreign driver’s license. If not in Chinese, provide a Chinese translation issued by a certified translation agency or notarized by a public notary.
- Proof of age and physical fitness meeting Chinese driving requirements:
- Medical certificate from a Level 2 or above hospital, township hospital, community health service center, or health checkup center approved by the National Health Commission.
- Or a physical fitness certificate from a military medical institution at or above regiment level.
- Exemption from medical certificate for applicants for Small Car (C1) or Motorcycle classes.
- No need to submit paper documents if information has been transmitted online.
- For participants in organized competitions or exchange activities, submit a certificate from relevant Chinese authorities.
- For those driving self-brought temporarily imported vehicles, provide the vehicle’s license plate and registration certificate.
- For foreign tourists driving self-owned vehicles organized by travel agencies, submit proof of meeting Chinese driving eligibility.
3. Application Methods and Locations
Foreigners generally need to apply in person at the following locations:
- Vehicle Management Offices (VMOs):
- Apply at the main VMO or branch in the entry city. Those aged 70+ must apply at the main VMO.
- Note: Some VMOs require prior appointment. For example, in Shenzhen, schedule via the Shenzhen Traffic Police Online VMO or the “Shenzhen Traffic Police” WeChat app under “Appointment Services” → “Driver’s License Business” → “Temporary Driving Permit Application”.
- Airport Public Security Offices:
- Beijing: Vehicle Management Service Station at Terminal 3 of Capital Airport; Daxing International Airport Service Station.
- Shenzhen: Public Security Office at the 4th floor departure hall of Bao’an Airport.
- Chengdu: Temporary Driving Permit Service Point at Terminal 1 arrival hall of Shuangliu International Airport.
4. Application Process
- At a Vehicle Management Office:
- Submit documents at the reception window after taking a queue number.
- Attend a road traffic safety law and regulations briefing at the safety education room.
- Complete information registration and permit production procedures.
- Collect the permit at the license window.
- Notes:
- Must be applied by the driver themselves.
- Individuals with hit-and-run records in China are rejected.
- Previous entry records will be checked; applicants with unresolved violations/accidents must settle them first.
- At an Airport (most convenient):
Example: Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3 Vehicle Management Service Station- Required: 1-inch white-background photo, passport, and foreign driver’s license.
- Photo service: Photo booth near Counter H17 (3rd floor) for white-background photos.
- Medical certificate: First aid station on the 2nd floor for health checks.
5. Fees and Processing Time
- Fee: CNY 10 per permit (for production).
- Processing Time: The VMO will review the application within 3 working days. Upon approval, the applicant must attend a safety briefing before the permit is issued.
6. Important Notes
- Individuals with hit-and-run records in China are prohibited from applying.
- Applicants must attend road traffic safety law briefings after approval.
- The permit’s expiration date must match the entry/exit document’s validity, with a maximum of 3 months (no extensions).
- The approved vehicle class must match the foreign driver’s license.
What if the Temporary Driving Permit expires? Can it be renewed?
- For short stays, the permit is valid for 3 months.
- For stays exceeding 3 months, the permit’s validity matches the entry permission but cannot exceed 1 year.
- The permit is valid for multiple entries within its validity period and does not require reapplication.
- No extensions are allowed.
- Note: If you own or bring a vehicle into China, a temporary permit may not be suitable, as it is primarily for short-term use with leased vehicles and cannot be extended.
What are the differences between a Chinese driver’s license and a temporary license?
China offers two types of driving licenses:
- Official Chinese Driver’s License: For those with long-term visas (over 90 days) or residence permits in mainland China.
- Temporary Driving License: For short-term visitors or business travelers, valid within the visa period (up to 90 days at most). Must be used along with the foreign driver’s license.
Notes:
- The foreign driver’s license must be a valid, non-temporary license with personal driving eligibility. Expired, temporary, or restricted licenses are invalid for application.
- Applications by staff of foreign embassies/consulates or international organizations are handled under diplomatic reciprocity principles.