Believe it or not, you need a license to drive on the roads in China–and international driver’s license are not valid in the People’s Republic of China. So, you have to go through the lovely process of getting a driver’s license in China if you would like to drive legally. The process has some lovely Chinese characteristics, so here it is:
1. Document preparation (this is step one of three…there are dozen’s of sub-steps but it doesn’t sound sexy to have a title “26.5 steps to getting your Chinese driver’s license,” so sorry to disappoint you!
– Passport & 2 copies
– Visa with over 3 months validity per entry, which narrows down your visa options to a working visa or a spousal visa. Almost all other visas are under 90 days per entrance.
– Registration form of temporary residence acquired from your local police station
– Foreign driving license, translated and notarized (I had a friend translate it and sign her name and date it to make it look offical but it wasn’t ‘officially’ notarized and they accepted it. If you don’t have a valid foreign driver’s license, just forget about getting a license in China…
– 5 passport pictures; white background, one inch
– Health check; address: 北京朝阳区中医医院, 朝阳区朝外工体南路6号 (Gongti south gate 8:00am-4:30pm, sat. 8:00-12:00) and go to the department called”体检中心”and tell them you need to get the “机动车驾驶证体检”. Prepare one 1 inch picture. 10 RMB. 10 minutes.
2. Test Preparation
– The best online practice test I found here
– You need a score of 90 (out of 100) or better to pass
– Do practice and be sure you can pass before you sign up and take the exam
3. Go to the local DMV
– Sign up for the test and take it. Beijing: 北京市车辆管理所涉外管理科;南四环东路18号
-Test times: Tuesday & Wednseday 9am & 2pm
-You have to go in advance to register to take the test. Try your luck at registering before the test times and you might get a seat in the test.
-Take the test. 50 RMB for the test fee. 10 RMB for the license. I believe if you fail the test, you can take it a second time on the spot for another 50 RMB.
-*Hint*: use express services to deliver your driver’s license (located in the main hall in the DMV after passing your test) otherwise you have to go back to pick up your drivers license after 3 days.
Justin Kwan 
Thank you for all this information. It is very clear and helpful> I would like to know, do I need to take my national driver license or can i just use a copy? Because I didn’t take my driving license with me to china. If it’s only for the translation I think i will only need the copy but i just want to be sure.
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Good question. I don’t know if you need the original document or not but given my experience in China, they will request the original.
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Hi Justin, just wanted to say that I followed your instructions and passed the test yesterday. Your info is still accurate and the most helpful ressource i could find on the web. Many many thanks! One thing I’d like to add: I used an app called Driving in China for preparations which was very helpful. I think it’s developed by the same guy who’s running the website mentioned in the text.
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I’m glad to hear this was helpful (and still accurate)!
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