Certified translation, practical guidance, no guesswork
Drive Legally in China as a Foreigner
Get your driver's license translation and certification within 48 hours, then follow clear guides for temporary permits or full Chinese license conversion.
48 hour PDF delivery
Driver License Translation & Certification
USD $50 includes certified translation, translation company certificate, PDF delivery, and files ready for submission at Chinese authorities.
- Delivery
- Digital PDF
- Payment
- Manual invoice
Find your route
Which path is right for you?
For foreigners applying to drive in China, two routes exist depending on how long you stay and what you need. Answer the questions below to find yours.
Do you already hold a valid driver's license from your home country?
YES — and you live in China long-term
Convert your overseas license into a full Chinese license. Pass the theory test (Subject One for cars) and a medical check.
See conversion steps →YES — but you are visiting short-term
Apply for a temporary driving permit. For cars and motorcycles there is usually no medical exam and no test, just a short safety briefing.
See permit steps →NO — you do not hold a license yet
Enroll at a Chinese driving school and take the full Chinese driving test (Subjects One to Four) to obtain a license from scratch.
Long-term residents
Convert to a full Chinese license
For foreigners living, working, or studying in China long-term. The first license is usually valid for 6 years.
Documents you need
- • Passport with a valid visa or residence permit (3+ months) and accommodation registration
- • Original overseas license (a full license, 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 license 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 license
Drivers from countries with mutual-recognition agreements (e.g. Belgium, UAE, France, Serbia) may convert a car license 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 license 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 license 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 license class |
Service
Certified translation package for China
Upload the front and back side of your driver's license. Chinese name and mailing address are optional. We review your documents, send payment instructions, 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