Eager to speed along National Highway 318, chasing the wind? Still worrying about that you may not being able to drive in China during your short-term visit? Don't worry! We'll provide you with a convenient solution. Whether it's a leisurely city stroll or an intercity excursion, you could easily enjoy the fun and freedom of self-driving in China.

Many foreign tourists like you that want to travel to China might look into one thing before preparing for their trip:

Can foreigners drive in China? The answer is yes! But you must apply for a Chinese temporary driving license.

Next, we'll provide a clear and comprehensive explanation of the genuine, reliable, and pitfall-free information all at once.

I. Who Needs to Apply?

1. Holders of Overseas Driving Licenses:

According to the regulations, foreign people required to go through relevant procedures mainly fall into two categories:

• He/she comprises compatriots holding driver's licenses from Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan regions;
• The other consists of people holding driver's licenses issued by foreign countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and so on.

2. Exemption Circumstances:

• First, those who already possess a valid driver's license issued by the Chinese Mainland.
• Second, those who are merely applying for a temporary entry permit and have no intention of driving motor vehicles within China.

II. Basic Conditions

1) Hold a valid overseas driver's license (requires translation and notarization; driver's licenses from some countries may require embassy/consulate certification or translation by a translation agency).

2) Hold a valid entry visa (such as short-term visas for tourism, business, visiting relatives, etc.).

3) The passport and visa are within their validity periods and the stay period has not expired.

4) Pass the physical examination stipulated by China (designated hospitals by some vehicle administration offices).

5）There are no circumstances prohibited from driving as stipulated by Chinese law (such as unsettled traffic violations, etc.).

III. Step-by-Step Application Process (Core Steps)

Step 1: Prepare Materials (Checklist)

1) Original and copies of the passport (personal information page, valid visa page, entry stamp page).

2) Original and copies of the overseas driver's license.

3) Translation of the driver's license: It needs to be translated and stamped by a qualified translation agency. For some countries (such as Belgium, the UAE, etc., which mutually recognize driver's licenses with China), translation may be exempted, and specific inquiries should be made at the local vehicle management office.

4) Recent one-inch white-background color photos (usually 2 are required, and some vehicle management offices can take photos on-site).

5) "Temporary Motor Vehicle Driving Permit Application Form" (filled out on-site or downloaded online).

6) Physical examination certificate (can be handled at the vehicle management office's designated hospital or self-service machine, checking basic items such as vision and color blindness).

7) Overseas driver's license certification documents (if the driver's license is not in English, embassy/consulate certification may be required; it is recommended to confirm in advance).

Step 2: Physical Examination (Required in Some Areas)

You need to go to a self-service physical examination machine at a networked hospital in Chengdu, or at the service hall of a Vehicle Management Office to take a physical examination for drivers (primarily checking vision, color perception, etc.).

Tips: Currently, most Vehicle Management Office service halls in Chengdu are equipped with self-service physical examination machines. It’s very convenient as there's no need to go to a hospital.

Step 3: On-site Application (Location Options)

Regarding the locations for handling such business, it is usually necessary to go to the Vehicle Management Office (head office) in Chengdu or designated branch offices with the authority to handle foreign-related services. For your convenience, we recommend prioritizing the Vehicle Management Office of Chengdu Traffic Administration Bureau (Xipu Vehicle Management Office) or the foreign-related service windows at Yincheng Service Station/Government Affairs Center.

Below is the address information for the main handling locations:

Vehicle Management Office of Chengdu Traffic Administration Bureau (Xipu Vehicle Management Office): Guoning Village, Xipu Subdistrict, Pixidu District, Chengdu

Traffic Police Seventh Sub-bureau: No. 1998, West Section of Xiamen Road, Zhengxing Subdistrict, Tianfu New Area

Traffic Police Sixth Sub-bureau: No. 155, Jinke North Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu

Please note that the operating hours and business scope of some service points may be subject to change. We recommend confirming by phone before visiting (e.g., the main number of the Vehicle Management Office: 962122) to avoid making a wasted trip.

Specific On-site Process:

• Step 1: Obtain a Number (for Foreign-Related Services)

Upon arrival at the service hall, you don’t need to queue in the general service area. Proceed directly to the information counter and inform the staff that you are applying for the "replacement of a foreign driver's license."

The staff will guide you to draw a dedicated number for "foreign-related services" and wait for your number to be called for processing.

• Step 2: Submit Documents for Review

After your number is called, go to the designated foreign-related service window and submit all prepared documents (such as the original foreign driver's license and its translated version, identification, entry-exit records, etc.) to the staff.

The police officer will verify your personal information, driving qualifications, and entry-exit status. Once the documents are confirmed to be complete and in compliance with regulations, they will be entered into the system for formal review.

• Step 3: Pay the Production Fee

After your documents pass the review, the staff will issue a payment notice. You need to take this notice to the designated payment window or use the self-service payment machine in the hall or scan a QR code with your mobile phone to pay the driver's license production fee, which is usually around 10 yuan.

• Step 4: Attend Traffic Safety Laws and Regulations Learning

After payment, follow the guidance of the on-site staff to go to the learning room for traffic safety laws and regulations learning. The learning format usually involves watching traffic safety warning videos or taking a simple knowledge test on regulations, depending on the policies in place at the window at that time. It will help you understand the road traffic rules in the Chinese mainland.

• Step 5: Collect Your License

After completing the learning, return to the original processing window or go to the designated license issuance window to wait.

Typically, license production follows an immediate issuance model, allowing you to receive your new People's Republic of China Motor Vehicle Driver's License on the spot after a short wait, marking the end of the entire process.

IV. Chengdu-Specific Notes (Pitfall Avoidance Guide)

1. Translation Company Qualifications

Which district in Chengdu has recognized translation companies?

The translated version of a foreign driver's license submitted during the application process must be issued by a qualified and legitimate translation company. Generally, Vehicle Management Offices recognize translation companies with legal qualifications across the entire city, as long as the translation bears the company's "Translation Seal" and is accompanied by a copy of the company's business license.

Please be sure not to translate the documents yourself; otherwise, the materials will be rejected, affecting the processing progress. If you need to find a reliable translation agency, our organization can also recommend or assist you in contacting a legitimate translation company for the translation services.

2. Visa Type

It is particularly noteworthy that if your visa type is "work-related" or "long-term residence permit," it may not fall within the scope of applying for a Temporary Motor Vehicle Driving Permit.

In such cases, you may need to go through the process of "replacing a foreign driver's license with a formal Chinese driver's license," which typically requires taking the written exam for Traffic Laws and Regulations (Subject One). It is advisable to confirm the applicable application type in advance based on your visa situation.

3. Regarding Car Rental

After successfully obtaining a temporary driver's license, will car rental companies recognize it? Since regulations vary among car rental companies, we recommend consulting with your target car rental company in advance to confirm.

Generally, using it in conjunction with your original passport should not be a problem.

4. Self-Service Processing

To avoid waiting in line or encountering a situation where all appointment slots are full, we recommend following the "Chengdu Traffic Police" WeChat official account in advance. You could check the latest business processing guidelines and appointment procedures through the menu on the official account.

Nowadays, many services require online appointments in advance, and gaining prior knowledge can help you better plan your trip.

V. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Is an International Driving Permit (IDP) required?

China does not recognize international driver's licenses. You must use your domestic driver's license along with a translated certification to apply for a temporary permit.

• Can I rent a car?

With a temporary driver's license, you can legally rent a car, but you need to confirm in advance whether the rental company recognizes it.

• Can I extend the permit after it expires?

Usually, extensions are not allowed. You need to reapply or leave the country and then re-enter to handle it.