Renting a Car and Driving in China as a Visitor: What the Rules Require
Renting a car for a road trip in mainland China is possible for visitors, but not on your home license alone. The rules point to the temporary driving permit. This guide is a checklist built from the official Shanghai traffic police instructions and the Ministry of Public Security’s provisions. It does not cover rental company policies or insurance, which vary and are not in our sources.
Step 1: Get the right permit
The Beijing government’s FAQ says foreigners who drive in Chinese territory must hold a Chinese driver’s license. For short-term visitors, the Ministry of Public Security’s provisions create the temporary driving permit, issued by the traffic police. Details are in the temporary driving permit guide.
For a rented car:
- The permit can only cover C1 (small car) or C2 (small automatic car).
- The class cannot go beyond what your foreign license allows.
- You must be at least 18.
- The permit is valid for 3 months for stays up to 3 months, and up to 1 year for longer stays.
Step 2: Gather your documents
- Your passport or other travel document.
- Your foreign driver’s license, which must be a full license.
- A Chinese translation of it if it is not in Chinese, from a translation agency, an embassy or consulate, or a notary. In Shanghai you can request the translation online, and some desks can help.
- A photograph, taken at the office.
Applicants aged 70 and over must first pass a capacity test at a driver theory test center. The result is valid for one year and can be taken up to five times for free.
Step 3: Apply
You apply at a vehicle administration office or at certain airport police counters, and in Shanghai there is also an official online platform. After a short briefing on Chinese traffic laws, you receive the permit on the spot, according to the Shanghai traffic police instructions. The airport counters have limited opening hours, so check before you travel.
Step 4: What to carry in the car
The Shanghai police list these:
- The temporary driving permit.
- Your foreign driver’s license.
- The Chinese translation of your license.
- The car rental contract, in case the traffic police check.
Carry all four together. The permit is used with the foreign license and its translation, not in place of them.
Who cannot get a permit
You cannot apply if:
- you do not meet the age condition,
- you have a hit-and-run record in mainland China,
- you reached 12 points on a previous permit and did not complete the required study,
- you have unresolved violations or accidents, or
- your documents are invalid, incomplete or inconsistent, or you did not attend the briefing.
Rules to learn before you drive
Many road rules surprise foreign drivers. Read these first:
- Traffic lights and signals: including right turns on red.
- Speed limits and expressway rules.
- Right of way and roundabouts.
- Parking rules: cameras enforce no-parking zones.
- Drink-driving limits: treat the limit as zero.
- What to do after an accident: dial 122.
Then take the mock exam to check what you remember.
Quick checklist
- Full foreign license that allows solo driving
- Chinese translation of the license
- Temporary driving permit (C1 or C2 for rentals)
- Rental contract in the car
- Passport
- You know the main rules above
Sources
- Shanghai Municipal Government (English): How to apply for a temporary driving permit (updated January 2026)
- Provisions on the Application for and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses (机动车驾驶证申领和使用规定), Article 21
- Beijing Municipal Government (English): Can I use my own country's driver's license in Beijing?