Official Guide: How to get Temporary Driving Permit (3m - 1y)

By Shanghai Government

1

A temporary driving permit refers to the short-term motor vehicle driving permit that allows foreigners who come to China for a short stay to drive motor vehicles within Chinese border. This temporary driving permit shall be issued by the traffic police department of the public security organ.

2

Under the condition of duration of stay

Those who stay for less than 3 months（including 3 months）are accessible to the application of a  temporary driving permit with three months validity. For those staying for more than 3 months, the validity period of a temporary driving permit can be extended up to one year.

3

A temporary driving permit is used to drive “motor vehicles temporarily brought into China” or “rented motor vehicles in China.” The specific motor vehicle types to be driven are under the following rules:

• Within the scope of foreign driving license
  The vehicle must be in the same category as stated in the applicant's foreign motor vehicle driving license.
  
  

• Consistent with the type of the vehicle brought into China
  

  For those who drive motor vehicles temporarily brought into China by themselves, the vehicle type stated in the temporary driving permit must be the same with that of their driving motor vehicles.
  
  

• The vehicle type for rented cars is restricted to C1 and C2
  

  For those who drive rented motor vehicles in China, only small-size vehicles (C1) or small-size vehicles with auto transmission automatic (C2) is allowed for temporary driving permit.

4

Required materials：

1. Entry and exit identity documents, such as passport, residence permit for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents, mainland travel permit for Hong Kong and Macao residents, mainland travel permit for Taiwan residents, the People's Republic of China travel permit, and etc.

   
   

2. Foreign driving license.

   
   

3. If your foreign driving license is not in Chinese, you need to translate it into Chinese. You can apply for translation service through translation agencies directly by email; or you can approach to DMV staff for help on applying for translation.

   
   

4. Please bring the above-mentioned materials to DMV to take photo and submit application form. After participating in the Chinese road traffic laws and regulations knowledge education and learning organized by the traffic police department, you will receive the permit on-site.

5

Shanghai Foreign Affairs Translation Workers Association

Address: Room 1607, No. 1277, Beijing West Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 上海市静安区北京西路1277号1607室

E-Mail：fyxh@shwsfy.com

Tel:021-63218568,021-63239910

You can also use other authorized translation agencies' services.

6

You can call 12123 to find the nearest vehicle administration office 

7

The temporary driving permit should be carried while driving and be used together with the foreign driving license and its Chinese translation.

Online translation of foreign driving licenses is only for applying for the temporary driving permit. The payment method for online translation is provided by the translation agencies.

When driving a rented motor vehicle in China, please carry the car rental contract with you for traffic police inspection.

Applicants aged 70 (inclusive) and above must take a capacity test in Theory Test Room (the validity period of the capacity test is one year from the first day you take the exam; applicants can take the test for free 5 times). Only after passing the test can applicants apply for a temporary driving permit. (Please register “Traffic Management 12123” app for the detailed addresses of Theory Test Room.)