Can foreigners drive in China with a foreign licence?

Choose the route that matches your situation

Short visit: ask about a temporary driving permit

Under the national driving-licence regulation, a person holding an overseas licence who needs to drive temporarily must apply to the vehicle management office for a temporary motor-vehicle driving permit. A short-stay permit may be valid for three months; if the stay is longer than three months, its validity may be extended up to one year. Application details and accepted documents are handled locally.

Applying for a Chinese licence with an overseas licence

The national rule allows an eligible holder of an overseas licence to apply for the corresponding Chinese licence category. It requires the applicant to have accumulated at least 90 days of residence in the licence-issuing country or region during the year in which the overseas licence was obtained. Applications for certain large passenger-vehicle categories also require at least two years holding the corresponding overseas category.

For most categories, the exam requirement includes Subject 1. Applications for large buses, heavy tractor-trailers, city buses, medium buses, and large trucks require Subjects 1, 2, and 3 under the national regulation. Diplomatic reciprocity and specific mutual-recognition arrangements may create exceptions.

Applying without an overseas licence

Applicants without an overseas licence follow the local process for a first Chinese driving licence and must meet the general eligibility, identity, and health requirements. The vehicle management office can confirm the applicable category, documents, appointment steps, and exams for your city.

Documents to confirm with your local office

For an application based on an overseas licence, national rules refer to identity documents, a medical fitness certificate, and the overseas licence. If the licence is not in Chinese, provide a Chinese translation issued by a translation service or notarized by a notary, as required by the local office.

Foreign applicants may also need passport and visa or residence documentation, accommodation-registration proof, photographs, or other local forms. Published city procedures differ, so use your destination city's official checklist rather than relying on a checklist from another city.

Is the Chinese Subject 1 test available in English?

The official test language and available arrangements are determined locally; do not assume an English version will be offered at every test center. Kemu One is an English-language study tool that helps explain the material. Its translations are for practice and are not the official exam question bank.