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Q: do I need chinese id card to get a drvers licence?
I want to get my Chinese drivers licence this year but do I need a Chinese id card?
9 years 15 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
iWolf is correct but here's the full detail:
Choose Chinese name
get passport AND your valid foriegn driving licence translated & notarised
Fill in drivers licence application form, you'll need a few photos.
Take very simple medical
Learn their driving rules. There's a good iPhone app called "Drive in China" as well as the website above
take computer test 100 questions out of bank of 1400. Minimum 90% pass rate.
It it will cost you about 500 RMB
You need a visa that allows >90 days stay.
If you're on a business or tourist visa then you'll need to use an agent like Tina. Current cost is about 6500-7000 kuai & you'll have to travel to Haikou. Good thing with this way is thT you sit in front of the computer & someone else answers the questions for you.
You'll find the official details online & the address of the test centre in your city.
Hotwater:
This was how to do it it Shanghai in 2010:
http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/133480-How-Get-Chinese-Driving-Licence-Shanghai.aspx
Hotwater:
Now why did I get a down vote for that? There's some odd people on this site.
No, you don't, unless they've changed the rules again. What you do need is a none expired drivers license from your home country, otherwise you'll need to start from beginning and that could take a year.. Add Tina on wechat, she got a lot of use drivers license. Wechat ID: tinachinavisa
they are in Shenzhen, you might have to go to Haikou for one day or Shenzhen and or Guangzhou for one day to get the drivers license.
Hotwater:
Tina is good if you don't have the right visa or can't be bothered to learn the rules & take the test yourself.
Otherwise she's a waste of about 6000 kuai!
ironman510:
Or you're lazy like me and just take a day trip 
, it was fun actually
Hotwater:
I did the same way at the time due to having a business visa back then. I'd agree, it was fun, especially watching the two guys answering the questions running round the room & hiding from the webcams when they did it!
ironman510:
The prep meeting was also fun: No phones or cameras, please show us your hands and put your cell phones on the table.
You don't need an ID card but you will need to get your passport translated and notorised also you have to register a Chinese name at the same office. (iWolf tip: choose something easy to write) No biggie.
Use this site to practice/learn the rules: http://www.chinese-driving-test.com/test/ the test is quite similar.
ironman510:
He's right about the Chinese name. I found that strange at first but than learned that they couldn't fit our long name on there type of formatted license.
bat22:
really thats news to me i didnt give a chinese name when i got my license
iWolf:
Mr Bat22, your city must have made it to the 21st century. We still light fires with sticks.
iWolf is correct but here's the full detail:
Choose Chinese name
get passport AND your valid foriegn driving licence translated & notarised
Fill in drivers licence application form, you'll need a few photos.
Take very simple medical
Learn their driving rules. There's a good iPhone app called "Drive in China" as well as the website above
take computer test 100 questions out of bank of 1400. Minimum 90% pass rate.
It it will cost you about 500 RMB
You need a visa that allows >90 days stay.
If you're on a business or tourist visa then you'll need to use an agent like Tina. Current cost is about 6500-7000 kuai & you'll have to travel to Haikou. Good thing with this way is thT you sit in front of the computer & someone else answers the questions for you.
You'll find the official details online & the address of the test centre in your city.
Hotwater:
This was how to do it it Shanghai in 2010:
http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/133480-How-Get-Chinese-Driving-Licence-Shanghai.aspx
Hotwater:
Now why did I get a down vote for that? There's some odd people on this site.
You need at least 90-days visa, as I read in Hot's post.
You can't do it with 30 or 60-days L, as you can do 
'sex'.
Sorry, I couldn't resist!
You should seize this opportunity to give yourself an outrageous Chinese name. I missed my chance to be Gao fu shuai on my driver's license.
No man, Ironman, you made me spill coffee on my keyboard
You need a passport and your drivers license from back home translated by the notary office. Then you need a medical checkup at a local clinic and then you need to pass the test.
many good comments..remember your driver's license from your state/country must not be expired or you have to go through a coach that will cost you 4 or 5000.
also when having your license translated, make sure it states the 'number of people' you can have in the car with you. as with in the USA, the license states the 'weight of the vehicle' you can drive. and the translation service has to be legitamite.
you need to show you place of living/residence while in china in the form of a police declaration. you need to go to the police station close to where you are living to get this.
most cities now require a license plate on ebikes, which also requires this police document.
ironman510:
He's right, mine was expired, so all in all It cost me Y8500, but hey it was worth it.
Some info on 'laowai for Chinese DL' on SAFEA:
http://en.safea.gov.cn/2014-05/20/content_17520824.htm
How can a foreign expert obtain a Chinese driving license?
China’s Law on Road Traffic Safety say that a foreigner must have a Chinese license to drive a vehicle in China. This can be obtained if they are of the right age and in proper health, and have completed the training and examination on road safety and related areas. If a foreigner holds a current driving license from a foreign country they can apply for Chinese license at the local public security bureau’s traffic management, foreign affairs office. Those with foreign driving licenses need to submit the following documents when applying:
1. Driving license application form.
2. Proof of identity and a copy, i.e. a passport, and proof of residence and accommodation from the public security and government, in the form of a residence permit on the passport or accommodation registration at the local police station.
3. A health certificate from a medical institution at the county level or higher, as approved by the Beijing Health Bureau, or from one at the regimental level or higher, as determined by the PLA or People’s Armed Police.
4. If the original foreign driving license is not in Chinese, a Chinese translation and a copy need to be submitted;
5. Four one-inch, standard color photos of the applicant with white background.
Strange, it doesn't say anywhere, 'you must abstain of sex for Chinese DL'.....
