Temporary Driving Permit in China: Can Visitors Drive With a Foreign License?
If you visit China and want to drive, a foreign license on its own is not enough. Visitors who enter China temporarily must apply for a temporary driving permit (临时驾驶许可) from the traffic police department of the public security organ. This guide explains the basics, based on a bilingual Q&A published by the Shanghai traffic police.
Check locally. The source describes how the permit is handled in Shanghai. Other cities usually follow the same national framework, but offices, opening hours and small details differ. Confirm with the vehicle administration office (车管所) or the Traffic Management 12123 app before you go.
What the permit is
A temporary driving permit is a short-term permission to drive a motor vehicle in mainland China. It is meant for people who enter the country temporarily and want to drive either a vehicle they brought with them or a rented Chinese vehicle.
How long it is valid
| Length of your stay | Permit validity |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 months (including 3 months) | 3 months |
| More than 3 months | Can be extended up to 1 year |
Which vehicles you can drive
- Your own vehicle brought into China: the vehicle category on the permit must match the vehicle you bring, and it cannot go beyond the categories on your foreign license.
- A rented vehicle in China: only small cars (class C1) and small automatic cars (class C2) are allowed. You also still cannot go beyond the categories on your foreign license.
Keep the rental contract in the car. The source recommends carrying it in case the traffic police ask to see it.
What you need to apply
- Entry and exit ID. For most visitors this is a passport. The source also lists documents such as travel permits for residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
- Your foreign driver’s license.
- A Chinese translation of the license if it is not written in Chinese. You can use a translation agency, and the source notes that translations from embassies or consulates, or notarized translations, are also accepted. Some offices can help arrange translation at the counter.
- A photo (taken at the office) and the application form.
- A short road-traffic law briefing run by the traffic police. In the source, the permit is issued on the spot after this briefing.
Always carry the permit together with your foreign license and its Chinese translation while driving.
When you cannot get a permit
According to the source, you cannot apply if any of the following applies:
- You do not meet the age requirement. To drive a small car (C1) or small automatic car (C2) you must be at least 18.
- You have a hit-and-run record in China.
- You reached 12 penalty points in one scoring cycle and did not complete the required legal study and test.
- You have unresolved traffic violations or accidents. They must be settled first.
- Your documents are invalid, incomplete or inconsistent, or you did not complete the required traffic-law briefing.
Extra step for applicants aged 70 and over
Applicants aged 70 or above must first pass a driving capacity test at a driver theory test center. The source says the test result is valid for one year from the first attempt, and you can take it up to five times free of charge. The Traffic Management 12123 app lists the test center addresses.
Where to apply (Shanghai example)
The Shanghai traffic police list several places. Hours and addresses change, so confirm before you go.
| Type of place | Notes from the Shanghai page |
|---|---|
| Vehicle administration office branches (four listed, in Pudong, Minhang and Baoshan) | Open Monday to Friday during office hours |
| Traffic police at Hongqiao and Pudong airports | Limited opening hours, closed in the afternoon on Fridays |
| Airport terminal police-station service counters (Pudong T1/T2 connecting bridge, Hongqiao T1 arrivals hall) | Weekday mornings and early afternoons |
| Traffic police of the Free Trade Zone | Weekdays |
| Online | Shanghai offers an official online application platform from its traffic police |
This is why you should check a few days ahead if you plan to apply on arrival at an airport.
Translating your license in Shanghai
If your license is not in Chinese, the Shanghai police list two translation agencies that can take email requests (a foreign affairs translation workers’ association and a university translation company). Translations by foreign embassies and consulates, and translations notarized by a local notary, are also accepted. The Shanghai page does not list fees, so ask the agency.
What the rules say about the permit
The national licensing provisions (Article 21) state that a holder of a foreign license who needs to drive temporarily must apply to the vehicle administration office for a temporary driving permit. A short-stay visitor can get a permit valid for three months, and if the stay exceeds three months, the validity can be extended to one year. A permit holder who reaches 12 points in one scoring cycle and does not complete the required study cannot apply for a driver’s license or for another permit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an international driving permit (IDP) instead? The Chinese rules provide the temporary driving permit for visitors. The sources we read do not provide for an IDP, and the Beijing government FAQ says foreigners who drive in Chinese territory must hold a Chinese license. Ask the office whether anything has changed before you travel.
Do I need to take a test? No exam is described for the permit. You attend a short briefing on Chinese traffic laws and receive the permit on the spot.
Can I drive a motorcycle on the permit? The class on the permit cannot go beyond your foreign license. For rented vehicles only C1 and C2 are allowed. For your own vehicle brought into China, the class on the permit must match it.
What if my stay becomes long term? See temporary permit or full license: which do you need? and how foreigners get a Chinese driver’s license.
I want to rent a car. What else should I know? Read renting a car and driving in China as a visitor.
Practical tips
- Bring originals of your passport and foreign license, plus the translation.
- Check whether the office takes appointments and whether it has English-speaking staff.
- Do not rely on an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in mainland China. Ask the office whether anything has changed before you travel.
- If you plan to live in China and drive long term, ask the office about applying for a full Chinese license, which is a separate process.
Test your knowledge
Whether you are on a short visit or planning a long stay, it helps to know the rules of the road. Try our free English mock exam on Chinese traffic rules and signs.
Sources
- Shanghai Municipal Government (English): How to apply for a temporary driving permit (updated January 2026)
- Shanghai traffic police bilingual Q&A on temporary driving permits (Chinese/English), republished on NetEase, December 2024
- 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