Residents » Certificates & Licences » Driving Licence

There are an estimated 1.7 million cars and 10 million bicycles on Beijing’s manic streets, so many foreigners opt for the plentiful, cheap taxis rather than adding to the congestion. Some do brave the streets though, and foreign owned cars are becoming more common. Cars owned by non-Chinese citizens carry black number plates, while Chinese owned vehicles have blue ones. Black and red denotes a diplomat, while white indicates an army or government official. Cars drive on the left in China, the legal driving age is 18 and it is mandatory to have your licence whenever you are behind the wheel. There are occasional spot checks, but foreigners are less likely to be stopped than Chinese citizens.

China does not recognise the International Driving Licence. So, you’ll need the local version unless, oddly, you hold a Belgian licence. A reciprocal agreement exists that allows Belgian licence holders to driver in China.

Otherwise, foreigners on A, D, Z, X or J-1 visa for one year or more can apply for a permanent local driving licence. A temporary licence can be issued for those on the visa types above for between three months and one year. Those travelling on a tourist visa (L) need to either use public transport or hire a car with a driver.

To obtain a Chinese licence, foreigners must be between 18 and 70 years old, have a valid foreign driving licence, a valid visa, residence permit, and residence registration certificate. The applicant must also pass an eye test, translate their licence into Chinese, pass a computerised road test (with a score of more than 90 out of 100), and pay a fee of ¥10. FESCO (Beijing Foreign Enterprise Human Resources Service, www.fescochina.com) can help. Foreigners can get their eyes tested at any of the hospitals in the table.

Chinese licences are valid for six years, and work on a 12-point system, with points deducted for traffic violations. If you lose all 12 points in a single year, you must pass your traffic test again to regain your licence.



Eye Testing Hospitals

Friendship Hospital 010 6301 4411

Sino-Japanese Hospital 010 6422 1122

Tonghe Hospital 010 6512 9911

Xiehe Hospital 010 6529 6114