No guesswork. No illegal shortcuts. No wasted trips.
Drive Legally in China as a Foreigner
We help you prepare the right documents, a city-matched certified translation, and a clear checklist to apply legally for a temporary driving permit or a full Chinese driving licence.
- ✓ Certified, application-ready PDF in 48 hours
- ✓ Formatted for the city you apply in
- ✓ Documents reviewed manually before payment
48 hour PDF delivery
Driver License Translation & Certification
USD $50 includes a certified translation, translation company certificate, PDF delivery, and files formatted for submission at Chinese authorities.
- Delivery
- Digital PDF
- Payment
- Manual invoice
Find your route in 30 seconds
Which path is right for you?
Foreign licences and International Driving Permits are not accepted for ordinary driving in mainland China. Answer two questions to see your lawful route and exactly what to prepare.
Question 1 of 2
Do you already hold a valid, full driver's licence from your home country?
Learner, provisional, or expired licences do not count.
Question 2 of 2
How long will you be in China?
Apply for a temporary driving permit
For short stays you can apply for a temporary permit, valid for your stay (up to 1 year). For cars and motorcycles there is usually no test and no medical exam — just a short safety briefing. You'll need a certified Chinese translation of your licence.
Convert to a full Chinese driving licence
As a long-term resident you can convert your foreign licence. For cars (C1/C2) you pass the Subject One theory test and usually a medical check. You'll need accommodation/residence proof and a certified Chinese translation showing your vehicle class.
Learn to drive at a Chinese driving school
Without an existing licence there is no conversion shortcut. You enrol at a licensed Chinese driving school and pass the full test series (Subjects One to Four). A translation isn't needed for this route.
Long-term residents
Convert to a full Chinese licence
For foreigners living, working, or studying in China long-term. The first licence is usually valid for 6 years.
Documents you need
- • Passport with a valid visa or residence permit (3+ months) and accommodation registration
- • Original overseas licence (a full licence, not a learner or provisional permit)
- • Certified Chinese translation showing your vehicle class
- • Medical report (valid 6 months; waived in some cities like Beijing and Shanghai)
- • Three one-inch white-background photos
- • Passport entry/exit records (to confirm 90+ days in the issuing country)
How it works
- 1. Translate your licence and complete the medical exam
- 2. Apply at the local Vehicle Administration Office (DMV)
- 3. Staff review your documents and confirm your stay
- 4. Pass the theory test — Subject One for cars (C1/C2); Subjects One to Three for larger vehicles (A/B)
- 5. Pay the fee and collect your licence
Drivers from countries with mutual-recognition agreements (e.g. Belgium, UAE, France, Serbia) may convert a car licence without taking the test.
Short-term visitors
Apply for a temporary permit
For tourism or business trips. Valid for your visa stay period, up to a maximum of one year (non-renewable).
Documents you need
- • Passport with a valid visa or visa-free entry record
- • Original overseas licence with a Chinese translation
- • Two one-inch white-background photos
- • Proof of an organized event (if joining a competition, tour, or exchange)
- • Vehicle papers and China insurance (only if you bring your own car)
How it works
- 1. Visit a DMV counter or an airport service station (e.g. Beijing and Shanghai airports)
- 2. Submit documents — cars (C1/C2) and motorcycles usually skip the medical exam and test
- 3. Attend a short briefing on Chinese traffic laws
- 4. Pay the small fee and receive your permit on the spot
Applicants aged 70 and over must first pass the "three abilities" test (memory, judgment, and reaction).
| Compare | Full licence conversion | Temporary permit |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 6 / 10 years or long-term | 3 months to 1 year (non-renewable) |
| Medical exam | Required | Waived for cars and motorcycles |
| Test | Theory test required (unless recognized) | No test — safety briefing only |
| Driving limits | No special restrictions | Rentals limited to C1/C2; own car must match your licence class |
Why people trust us
A legality-first service — clear about what we do
The biggest reason foreigners get turned away is not the law itself — it's document-readiness: the wrong translation format, missing accommodation proof, or city rules they didn't know about. We focus on getting that right before you reach the counter.
✓ What we do
- Certified Chinese translation of your licence, formatted for the city you apply in
- Translation company certificate accepted by Chinese authorities
- A manual review of your documents to flag obvious problems before you go
- Clear, city-specific checklists and practical guidance
✗ What we don't do
- We are not the issuing authority — final approval always rests with the local traffic office
- We never sell fake permits, guaranteed passes, or illegal shortcuts
- A translation alone does not authorize you to drive
- We don't promise outcomes that depend on a city counter we don't control
What we check for you
- Name spelling matches your passport exactly
- Vehicle class and any restrictions are mapped correctly (e.g. automatic-only → C2)
- Licence number, issue and expiry dates are accurate
- Format matches what your application city commonly expects
Service
City-matched certified translation
Accepted translation standards vary by city — Shanghai names specific providers, Beijing and Shenzhen accept a translation agency or notary, and some counters want a physical stamp. Upload the front and back of your licence and tell us where you'll apply; we format the translation to match, review it manually, then deliver a printable PDF.
Order USD $50 ServiceFree tool
One-Inch (一寸) Photo Printer Sheet
Chinese driver license applications require one-inch (25×35 mm) white-background photos. Upload your photo and download a print-ready A4 sheet with two one-inch photos and cutting guides. Print it at any photo shop or home printer. No registration, your photo never leaves your device.
- Upload a front-facing photo with a plain background.
- Preview the A4 sheet with two one-inch photos.
- Download, print on A4 paper at 100% scale, and cut along the guides.
A4 sheet preview · 210×297 mm at 300 DPI · two 25×35 mm photos