How to Renew a Chinese Driver's License as a Foreigner
Chinese driver’s licenses need to be renewed when they expire. This guide first sets out the national rules from the Ministry of Public Security’s licensing provisions, then walks through the Beijing procedure from the Beijing government’s English page. Offices, hours and fees will be different in other cities, so use this as a checklist and confirm locally.
The national rules
When to renew
Apply within the 90 days before the license expires. You apply to the vehicle administration office that issued the license or to another office, and if you live outside the issuing area you can renew where you live.
What you submit
- Your identity document (for foreigners, see documents foreigners need).
- A medical certificate of your physical condition, unless the office can check your health record electronically.
If the application is complete, the office issues the renewed license within one working day. At renewal, your license is also reviewed (verified). See license verification and driving after 70.
What the new license looks like
If no scoring cycle during the first six years reached 12 points, the replacement is valid for 10 years. After 10 more years with no 12-point cycle, you receive a long-term license.
If you are late
- A license that is more than one year past its expiry date is cancelled. You may not drive on an expired license.
- If it was cancelled for this reason and less than two years have passed since the cancellation, you can regain driving rights by passing the Subject 1 written test.
- If you cannot renew on time because you are leaving the country or serving in the military, you can request a delay of up to three years. See replacing a license.
The Beijing procedure
Conditions
- Points. For large buses, heavy tractor-trailers, city buses, medium buses and large trucks: no points in the current scoring cycle. For other classes: fewer than 12 points.
- Verification education. If you have points on a large-vehicle license, or caused a fatal accident with equal or greater responsibility but your license was not revoked, you must complete the required study first.
- No unresolved violations or accidents.
- Physical condition still meets the requirements to drive.
- Drivers aged 70 or over must pass tests of memory, judgment and reaction.
- The license must not be seized, detained, suspended, revoked, cancelled or voided.
If your license was issued in another province or city and you renew in Beijing, you must also complete the transfer-in at the same time.
What to bring
- Your identity document.
- The Physical Condition Certificate for motor vehicle drivers from a designated medical institution. It is waived if your information has been transmitted online.
- Three photos (32 mm x 22 mm, plain white background, taken within six months).
- If someone applies for you: their ID and your authorization. If you authorize online in the Traffic Management 12123 app, no paper letter is needed.
Where to go
- The General Vehicle Administration Office handles foreigners who changed name, nationality or identity documents and foreign applicants aged 70 or over.
- Other foreigners may use the General Vehicle Administration Office or its branches.
- Holders of a new Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card whose license number was updated to the ID card number may use district-level vehicle administration stations and government service centers.
- Registered users of the Traffic Management 12123 app can apply online.
- Drivers aged 70 or over take the capability test at a branch office first.
Beijing gives opening hours of 08:30 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, and 09:00 to 16:00 on weekends (except national holidays) for the main office and branches.
Fee and time
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Processing time | Within half a working day |
| Fee | 10 yuan for a motor vehicle driving license |
| Hotline | +86-10-12123 |
After renewal
You can apply for an electronic driver’s license in your personal 12123 account. If you already had one, re-apply for it after renewal. See the electronic license guide.
Renewal checklist
- Note your license’s expiry date and set a reminder for 90 days before
- Book a medical check (certificate valid six months)
- Settle all traffic fines and violations first
- Prepare ID, photos and, if needed, authorization
- After renewal, re-apply for your electronic license