What is a Temporary Driving Permit?
A temporary driving permit refers to a short-term motor vehicle driving permit that allows foreigners who come to China for a short stay to drive motor vehicles within Chinese borders. This temporary driving permit is issued by the traffic police department of the public security organ.
How long is the validity period of a temporary driving permit?
Under the condition of duration of stay: Those who stay for less than 3 months (including 3 months) can apply for a temporary driving permit with a three-month validity. For those staying for more than 3 months, the validity period of a temporary driving permit can be extended up to one year.
What types of vehicles can be driven with a temporary driving permit?
A temporary driving permit allows driving "motor vehicles temporarily brought into China" or "rented motor vehicles in China." The specific motor vehicle types to be driven are as follows:
Within the scope of the 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 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 as that of their driving motor vehicles.
The vehicle type for rented cars is restricted to C1 and C2
How to apply for a temporary driving permit?
Required materials:
Entry and exit identity documents
A 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, etc.
Foreign driving license
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 DMV staff for help with applying for translation.
Please bring the above-mentioned materials to the DMV to take a photo and submit the 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.
How to apply for translation by email?
Contact information for translation agencies is as follows:
Shanghai Foreign Affairs Translation Workers Association
Address: Room 1607, No 1277 West Beijing Road, Jing'an district
Tel: 021-6321-8568, 021-6323-9910
Email: fyxh@shwsfy.com
Business hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Shanghai SISU Translation Service Co
Translations issued by foreign embassies and consulates in China, or translations notarized by local notary organizations, are also accepted.
Where to apply for a temporary driving permit?
Vehicle Management Office First Branch
Address: No 2999 West Huaxia Road, Pudong New Area
Business hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
Vehicle Management Office Second Branch
Address: Gate 3, No 179 Qinchun Road, Minhang district
Business hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
Vehicle Management Office Third Branch
Address: No 2638 Hunan Highway, Pudong New Area
Business hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
Vehicle Management Office Fourth Branch
Address: No 299 Anfen Road, Baoshan district
Business hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
Traffic Police Division of International Airport Public Security Bureau Sub-branch
Address: No 201 Konggang Road Number One, Hongqiao International Airport
Tel: 021-2895-2289
Address: No 805 Huhang Road, Pudong International Airport
Tel: 021-6834-3234
Business hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 11 am, 1 pm to 4 pm; Friday, 9 am to 11 am
Traffic Police Division of Free Trade Zone Sub-branch
Address: Block A, No 459 West Fute Road Number One, Free Trade Zone
Tel: 021-2204-7395
Business hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Under what circumstances can an applicant not apply for a temporary driving permit?
Age Conditions
The applicant fails to meet the required age conditions for a Chinese driving permit application. For those who temporarily need to rent Chinese motor vehicles and drive within Chinese borders, the temporary driving permit Type 3 is only for small-size vehicles and small-size vehicles with automatic transmission. Applicants for these vehicles must be at least 18 years old.
Hit and Run
Applicants who have a record of committing a hit-and-run offense within the territory of China are not eligible for a temporary driving permit.
Drivers Accumulating 12 Points but Failing to Take an Exam
A driver who has accumulated 12 points within a single scoring period is required to undertake a retraining session and take an exam on road traffic safety laws, regulations, and other related knowledge. Otherwise, he or she cannot re-apply for a temporary driving permit.
Traffic Violations and Accidents Unresolved
Applicants who have committed road traffic offenses and have unresolved traffic accidents are not eligible to apply.
Invalid Certification and Proofs
Applicants who provide invalid, incomplete, or unmatched certification and proofs, or those who have not participated in road traffic safety laws and regulations learning, are not eligible for the driving permit.
What else should be noted when applying for a temporary driving permit?
The temporary driving permit should be carried while driving and 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 and above must take a capacity test in the 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 up to 5 times. Only after passing the test can applicants apply for a temporary driving permit. (Please register on the "Traffic Management 12123" app for the detailed addresses of the Theory Test Room.)
(Source: The Vehicle Management Office of the Traffic Police Corps, Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Public Security)
