Asia Expats Forum

Wocca · Scribe Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 970 Location:

The International Convention on Driving Licences was signed
in September 1949. China did not become a republic until 1st
October 1949. This is the main reason why an international
driving licence cannot be used in China.

However, if you are over 18 and have a valid driving licence
from another country then it is quite likely you will only basically
need to do a written (computerized) test to obtain a 6 year China
driving licence for a fairly minimal fee.

How To Apply For A China Driver's Licence

I'll outline what I did in Chengdu - January 2007. Of
course, you should go to the driver licensing centre
in the city which you are in.

No practical driving test is required if you are over 18
and have a valid foreign driver's license. Don't know
if an International License would count though.

* Take someone with you that can write Chinese
* Chengdu licensing centre opens around 8.30am
* Take plenty of passport pix (8 is a safe number)
* Take your foreign driving licence & passport
* Go to one of the reception counters
* Collect a standard application form
* Complete the form in Chinese script
* Have medical examination which consists of reading one or
two lines on an eye-chart with either eye covered alternately.
* Take the papers back to a reception counter
* Submit form with payment over counter
* Pay the prescribed fee

FEE: Y10 + Y280 = Y290 TOTAL

Y10 is for the actual 6 year China licence. The other Y280 is
to sit the written test TWICE in case you don't score 90% or
greater the first time. No partial refund if you pass first time.

* Wait in queue (seats provided) to enter exam room
* Show ticket / receipt etc & be shown to a computer
* Select which language you want to do the test in
* There are nine languages to choose from (including
English, French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese)

The test consists of 100 randomly selected questions from
the driving handbook which has about 700 questions in total.
They are mostly multiple choice or TRUE / FALSE.

Computerized test time limit: 45 minutes

* Hit the "check score" icon on computer
* 90% or over ( Hao! Hao!)
* Less than 90% :
Get a new number & do again within the next ten days.

* Once you pass, take your papers back to a counter for
processing. The license can be issued within ten minutes
or so, depending on their workload.

NOTES:

* Licenses are written & issued in Chinese script

* You can only apply for one class of license at any one
time. That is, if you also have a valid foreign motorcycle
license (costs Y190 ? in total) you have to do another
computerized test, which appears to be the same as the
car test anyway. I've never got around to getting back
so far this year for my own bike license.

* Most of the questions are common sense.
* BUT it is advisable to bone up on them first
* All going well, you'll be finished before noon.

GOOD LUCK !!!
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EXPAT IN CHINA

hoodedmann · Novice Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 20 Location:

Are you saying a driver's license for foreign folks like me is 290 Yuan (everything included)?

How come when i check with certain driver s license agencies here in mainland the price varies between 3900 - 4800 rmb? Are they just trying to scam foreigners?
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Wocca · Scribe Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 970 Location:

Up to you if you want to believe it or not, buddy fart

A couple of weeks ago, I got a motorcycle license
as well. Because of a recent change in regulations,
I had to apply for the car license again.

Total cost for both bike & car licenses endorsed on
the same document Y290

But hey, don't let this deter you from paying more
to someone else.
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EXPAT IN CHINA

Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

hoodedmann · Novice Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 20 Location:

So then perhaps you guys gotta ban all these "buy your driver s license here" posts from this forum. Assuming, they don t really do much for you. Cos you are saying that if you want to apply for a license yourself, it d be like a 1,2,3 kinda thing right? Something that would, max, take you a couple of hours..right?
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Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

Wocca · Scribe Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 970 Location:

I don't know about the 1, 2, 3 bit insofaras simplicity goes. Mike is right about bureaucracy. This can draw the process out. Depending on travelling time to the licensing centre, (which took me almost two hours each way by bus) you may only need to add on a couple more hours ... provided that you don't miss the test that starts not later than 11.10am. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until 1pm when the lunch break ends.

Some other things you need to bear in mind is that you must bring all your own photocopies, official documents and photos. The police and staff at the Chengdu licensing centre generally do NOT speak English, so you'll have to take along someone that speaks Chinese so you can understand or answer any complications that may arise.

Getting an agency or whatever to obtain a license for you is convenient only if they actually can get it for you. The prices quoted are somewhat excessive but with the way things have been tightened up lately, you may still have to attend a licensing centre yourself anyway.

violent

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EXPAT IN CHINA

Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

thailland has tightened up big time. I am sure there are exceptions but the days of paying a broker to get a license for you are over. violent

I got my license the hard way but now at least the renewal process is fairly easy
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