Can Foreign Driver's Licenses Be Used Short-term in China? How to Obtain a Temporary Driving Permit?

Foreign nationals holding foreign driver's licenses cannot drive directly in China. Depending on their length of stay, they must obtain either a Chinese driver's license or a temporary driving permit.

Required materials to apply for a temporary driving permit: 

Entry and exit identity documents, such as passport, residence permit for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents, mainland travel permit for Hong Kong and Macao residents, mainland travel permit for Taiwan residents, the People's Republic of China travel permit, and etc.

Foreign driving license. If your foreign driving license is not in Chinese, you need to translate it into Chinese. You can apply for translation service through translation agencies directly by email; or you can approach to DMV staff for help on applying for translation.

Please bring the above-mentioned materials to DMV to take photo and submit application form. After participating in the Chinese road traffic laws and regulations knowledge education and learning organized by the traffic police department, you will receive the permit on-site.