Chongqing Driver License Guide for Foreigners

Chongqing is a municipality directly under the central government. Foreign residents apply through the Chongqing Vehicle Administration Office. The city's hilly terrain and complex road network make thorough theory test preparation especially worthwhile. Appointments are managed via the Chongqing Traffic Management Bureau portal.

Bring originals and photocopies of every document. Some offices use local supplementary forms not available online — arrive early to collect them at the counter.

• Passport with a valid visa or residence permit.
• Temporary residence registration (居住证 or police-issued 暂住证).
• Original foreign driver's license plus a certified Chinese translation.
• Medical examination report from an approved hospital or exam center.
• Three one-inch (25×35 mm), white-background, bare-head color photos.

Some counters ask for extra copies or have local supplementary forms — bring spare prints of everything.

A full conversion typically moves through these stages:

1. 1 Document review at the VAO counter.
2. 2 Photo verification by staff.
3. 3 Medical check on-site (if not already completed at a hospital).
4. 4 Theory test booking — Subject One, 100 questions, 90/100 to pass.
5. 5 License collection after passing the test.

A temporary permit for short-term visitors is usually issued the same day — no theory test required, but expect a brief road-safety briefing.

• Arrive early — VAO counters frequently have long queues.
• Carry printed copies of every document, including all passport pages.
• Ensure your name is spelled identically on your passport, translation, and all forms.
• Confirm your home license vehicle class maps to the Chinese category you need (e.g., standard car → C1).
• Re-confirm appointment requirements on the official city website the day before — policies change frequently.