2025 Guide for Foreigners Renting & Self-Driving in Mainland China (Rental Requirements + Driver’s License + Documents + Procedures + Platforms/App + FAQs)

I. Car Rental Requirements for Foreigners

In China, rental conditions vary slightly across companies, but generally, foreign nationals must meet these criteria to rent a car legally and smoothly in Mainland China:

• At least 18 years old
• Hold a valid Mainland China driver’s license
• Provide valid personal identification:
  1. Foreigners: Passport, visa/residence permit
  2. Hong Kong/Macao residents: Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong/Macao Residents
  3. Taiwan residents: Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents
• Possess a credit card meeting the company’s minimum credit limit (if no personal credit card, a relative/friend’s card may be used for guarantee)
• If applicable, the guarantor must provide household registration booklet, ID card, and a guarantee commitment letter

II. Driving license requirements for foreign nationals and residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan when renting cars in mainland China.

Step 1: Obtain a Chinese driver’s license – Foreign driver’s licenses cannot be used directly in China. To drive legally, foreign licenses must be converted into a Chinese driving permit, which includes two types: Temporary Entry Driving Permit and Chinese Motor Vehicle Driving License.

1. Temporary Driver’s License
   Suitable for short-term tourists! According to the revised Regulations on the Management of Temporary Entry Motor Vehicles and Drivers implemented by the Ministry of Public Security since January 1, 2007, foreigners with foreign driver’s licenses can apply for a temporary driving permit valid for 3 months during short stays; if staying longer than 3 months, the permit can be extended up to 1 year.

Required Documents:

• No road test or written exam needed – just prepare these materials:
  • Entry/exit ID: Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan residents or People’s Republic of China Travel Permit (for foreigners), or People’s Republic of China Passport (for foreigners)
  • Foreign driver’s license (if non-Chinese, a Chinese translation must be provided)
  • Proof of age and physical fitness meeting Chinese driving requirements
  • 2 recent 1-inch color photos (Recent half-length, frontal, bareheaded photograph with a white background.)
  • For organized tours, competitions, or exchange activities, a certificate from relevant Chinese authorities

Notes:

1. Foreign driver’s license translations must be done by a certified translation company – self-translations are invalid.
2. Temporary licenses are only for short-term use with rental vehicles and cannot be renewed. They are not suitable for personal vehicles brought into China.

Application Locations:

• Generally apply at the local Vehicle Management Institute (VMI). In Beijing, for example:
  • VMI Headquarters or branch offices (foreigners aged 70+ must apply at Headquarters)
  • Vehicle Management Service Stations at Beijing Capital Airport T3 Terminal and Daxing International Airport

Fees:

• RMB 10 per temporary driving permit (Beijing).
• The traffic management bureau will review applications within 3 days. Approved applicants will receive road safety law/c regulation training before the permit is issued.

For more details on applying for a temporary Chinese driver’s license, click here to inquire.

2. License Conversion
   Foreign driver’s licenses (including those from Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan) cannot be used directly in Mainland China but can be converted into Chinese licenses by passing a theoretical written exam (no practical test required)!

Eligibility:

• Must have stayed abroad for over 3 months when obtaining the foreign license.
• The foreign license must be at a level higher than China’s C1 class.
• Some provincial VMIs only approve conversion to C2; upgrading to C1 requires taking a Subject 2 (practical) exam.

Required Documents:

• Motor Vehicle Driving License Application Form (available on-site)
• Physical Fitness Certificate for Motor Vehicle Drivers (issued by a county-level or higher hospital approved by the local VMI – usually completed within 20 minutes)
• Original and copy of ID (passport, ID card, Chinese visa/residence permit, travel permit)
• Original and copy of foreign driver’s license (no probationary or temporary licenses)
• Chinese translation if the license is non-Chinese

Application Locations:

• Local Vehicle Management Institutes under the Traffic Management Bureau.

Fees:

• Vary by province, including medical exams and translation costs. Example in Shanghai:
  RMB 110 (VMI) + RMB 14 (medical exam) + RMB 40 (translation) + RMB 20 (photography) = RMB 184 total.

Tips:

1. For license categories of large buses, tractors, medium buses, or large trucks, a Subject 3 (road test) is also required.
2. In Jiangsu Province, the written exam is available in Japanese, Korean, English, French, German, and Russian; Shenzhen offers 7 languages (Russian, French, Japanese, Spanish, English, Korean, Arabic); Beijing offers 8 languages (English, French, Japanese, Korean, German, Russian, Spanish, Arabic). Contact local VMIs for details.

III. Car Rental Types in Mainland China

Self-drive car rentals in Mainland China are divided into three categories:

1. Daily Rental: Calculated per 24-hour day, starting when the renter picks up the vehicle. At the end of the term, return the vehicle to the designated location and settle the bill by time. Overtime beyond a certain limit is charged as a full day. Some plans have mileage limits.
2. Monthly Rental: Follows daily rental rules, plus the renter must take the vehicle to a designated maintenance point for monthly inspections and record-keeping.
3. Long-Term Rental: Calculated annually, following monthly rental rules for regular maintenance and vehicle condition reports.

IV. Recommended Car Rental Companies/Platforms in China

China’s car rental market has many providers with varying operations, vehicle types, and services. Here are reliable recommendations:

1. eHi Car Rental

• Founded in January 2006, headquartered in Shanghai, with 10,000+ service outlets in 500+ cities nationwide, offering 200+ vehicle models.
• Services cover leisure travel, daily commuting, and business trips, with free inter-city return fees in many areas.
• Supports online, phone, app, and in-store bookings, plus credit card, online, and stored-value card payments.

2. Shenzhou Car Rental

• Established in 2007, a large chain offering short/long-term rentals and financial leasing, with nationwide roadside assistance and inter-city return services.
• All vehicles are company-owned, ensuring standardized pickup/return processes and direct insurance claims (no third-party involvement).
• Offers multiple insurance options (e.g., travel protection, accident coverage) and standardized services like contactless pickup, deposit-free rentals, inter-city returns, 24/7 customer service, and breakdown assistance.

3. Wukong Car Rental

• A large-scale platform offering customized and nationwide rental services, with price comparison and deposit-free options.
• Covers 460+ cities, 40,000+ service points, 120,000+ vehicles, and 10,000+ models, trusted by 22 million+ users.

4. Shouqi Car Rental

• Founded in April 1992, one of China’s earliest professional rental companies, specializing in short-term self-drive, business vehicle，long-term leasing, government vehicle reform, and financial leasing.
• Direct subsidiaries in 82 cities, with a fleet of over 40,000 vehicles serving domestic and international users.

5. Ctrip Car Rental

• A global rental platform under Ctrip, offering price comparison and booking services for domestic/international rentals, plus travel guides and itinerary planning.
• As a third-party platform, vehicles and services are provided by partnered rental companies, with pricing and dispute resolution handled directly by the partners.

Choose a platform based on your specific needs and location.

V. Car Rental Process for Foreigners in Mainland China

Step 1: Select a Rental Company
Prioritize professional, large-scale companies with many vehicles and reliable breakdown support. Avoid renting private cars, underground rental shops, or used car dealerships – these often lack adequate insurance, have poor vehicle conditions, and offer no post-rental support, risking costly disputes.

Step 2: Choose a Vehicle Online
Register as a member on the company’s website, select a vehicle type based on needs, and submit an order with pickup/drop-off times/locations.

Step 3: Pick Up the Vehicle and Sign the Contract

• Visit the rental store and present required documents.
• The store will swipe a pre-authorization deposit (credit card, amount varies by vehicle type, usually at least RMB 4,000) and ask you to sign the rental contract. Read the contract carefully before signing!

Key Checks When Picking Up the Vehicle:

• Documents: Verify insurance validity, policy types, and insurance company contact information.
• Exterior Inspection: Check for scratches/damage and take photos/videos to avoid return disputes.
• Engine Fluids: Open the hood to check fluid levels and for leaks.
• Tire Condition: Inspect for cuts, bulges, or wear – reject the vehicle or request a replacement if issues are found.
• Record Fuel Level: Take photos of the fuel gauge to ensure return levels match.
• Test Brakes/Accelerator: Report any issues before leaving.
• Inter-City Return Policy: Confirm if allowed.
• Familiarize Yourself: Test drive briefly and ask questions before departing.

Step 4: Return the Vehicle

• Return to the agreed location for vehicle inspection by staff.
• Settle fees and check for personal items.
• Receive a deposit refund (if no traffic violations occurred).

Return Tips:

• Late Returns: May incur extra fees. Extending the rental can be complicated – plan your schedule carefully.
• Fuel Level: Return the vehicle with at least the same fuel level as pickup; otherwise, fuel fees will apply.
• Traffic Violation Deposit: This will be refunded if no violations are recorded. Take photos of the vehicle’s license to prevent fraud.

Rental Costs in Mainland China:

• Mandatory Fees: Vehicle rental & service fee, basic service fee, vehicle preparation fee.
• Additional Fees: Delivery/pickup service, cross-branch/inter-city return fees, fuel service fee, overtime fee.
• Deposit: Varies by company and vehicle (usually RMB 5,000–10,000+ for standard cars).
• Fuel Costs: Not included in rent – options are to refill before return, pay at return with a service fee, or prepay for a full tank.
• Basic Insurance: Mandatory for all rentals (cost varies by vehicle type), covering compulsory third-party liability, third-party liability, and vehicle damage (including theft, glass coverage). For comprehensive protection, add deductible waiver insurance.

VI. Basic Traffic Rules for Self-Driving in Mainland China

1. Driving Side: Right-side driving (opposite to Hong Kong/Macao). Drivers accustomed to right-hand drive may need time to adjust to left-hand drive vehicles.
2. Traffic Lights:
   • Red: Stop
   • Green: Go
   • Yellow: Slow down and stop (do not proceed through a flashing yellow light).
3. Lane Usage: Keep right except for overtaking. Use turn signals and check blind spots before lane changes. Avoid occupying non-motor vehicle lanes or driving against traffic.
4. Bus Lanes: Common in major cities (usually the rightmost lane). Avoid entering except when turning right at adjacent intersections.
5. City Traffic Restrictions: Many cities implement vehicle restriction policies (e.g., Shenzhen bans foreign plates during weekday rush hours 7:30–9:30 & 17:30–19:30; Guangzhou restricts non-local small vehicles to 4 consecutive days of travel with a 4-day cooldown). Search “XX city vehicle restrictions” before traveling to major cities.
6. Highway Toll Payments: ETC and manual lanes are available at exits/entrances. Use ETC lanes for vehicles with ETC chips; the penalty for mistakenly entering an ETC lane without a chip may apply.

VII. Other FAQs

① Can an international driving permit be used in China?
No! China is not a signatory to the United Nations Road Traffic Convention, so international driving permits are not recognized. Foreigners must obtain a Chinese driver’s license (via written exam) to drive in Mainland China.

② Can foreigners on short-term tourist visas rent and self-drive in China?
Yes, but a temporary Chinese driver’s license is required (see details above).

③ Can foreign driver’s licenses be used in China?
No! Driving with a foreign license alone constitutes “driving without a valid license,” punishable by vehicle impoundment and detention. Foreigners must convert their license to a Chinese one before driving.