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Driving licenceChina

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of China. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
China

35. Driving licence

A driving licence is an official document authorising a person to drive one or more specified categories of motor vehicle. It may contain conditions, restrictions, category codes and expiry dates that determine which vehicles the holder may drive.

Drivers must hold a licence that is valid for the vehicle category and jurisdiction concerned. A licence may be provisional, full, restricted, suspended or withdrawn, and additional qualifications may be required for professional driving.

Front of a Chinese driving licence.
Wikimedia.org • PRC • CC0
Which driving-licence entitlement is needed for an ordinary car in mainland China?

In mainland China, ordinary cars require the appropriate Chinese licence class, commonly C1 for eligible manual-transmission cars or C2 for eligible automatic-transmission cars. A different entitlement may be needed for motorcycles, heavy vehicles, trailers or passenger transport.

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Mainland China — Law Article 19; MPS licensing rule 172 Articles 11, 20–21, temporary permit required

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text

🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Police — national licensing Annex 1, C1/C2 vehicle categories

Can a visitor drive in mainland China using a driving licence issued abroad?

A foreign licence or International Driving Permit does not by itself authorise driving in mainland China. Eligible visitors must obtain an appropriate Chinese temporary driving permit or licence before driving.

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Mainland China — Law Article 19; MPS licensing rule 172 Articles 11, 20–21, temporary permit required

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text

🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Police — national licensing Annex 1, C1/C2 vehicle categories

Does an International Driving Permit replace the original licence in mainland China?

No. Mainland China does not accept an IDP as independent driving authorisation. A legally issued Chinese licence or temporary permit is required.

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Mainland China — Law Article 19; MPS licensing rule 172 Articles 11, 20–21, temporary permit required

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Traffic Police — full Road Traffic Safety Law, 2021 amended text

🔗 samr.gov.cn • SAMR — full implementing Regulations, 2017 amended text

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Beijing Police — national licensing Annex 1, C1/C2 vehicle categories

1 China 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Speed limit 6 Footpath 7 Bike path 8 Tunnel 9 Toll road 10 Slope 11 Bus lane 12 Bus stop 13 Stop sign 14 Give way 15 Roundabout 16 Road narrowing 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 Mandatory direction 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Rockfall 23 Curve 24 Chevron 25 Wrong-way driving 26 Roadworks 27 Crosswind 28 Height limit 29 Weight limit 30 Radar speed sign 31 Priority at the next junction 32 Traffic lights 33 Traffic lights warning 34 Pedestrian lights 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Traffic mirror 38 Parking 39 No parking 40 No stopping 41 Disabled parking 42 Reversing 43 U-turn 44 Uncontrolled crossroad 45 Provisional licence 46 Emergency exit 47 Runaway truck ramp 48 Horn 49 Axle weight limit 50 Charging station 51 Pedestrian 52 Motorcycle 53 Car 54 Truck 55 Bus 56 Police 57 Ambulance 58 Taxi 59 Police signals 60 Pothole 61 Path 62 Particulates 63 Air pollution 64 Rush hour 65 Road code 66 Street gutter 67 Cargo bike 68 Forestry vehicle 69 Construction vehicle 70 Semi-trailer truck 71 Trolleybus 72 Speed pedelec 73 Delivery vehicle 74 Idling 75 Tow truck 76 Four-wheel drive 77 Bicycle 78 Motorcycle equipment 79 Rail track 80 Caravan 81 Trailer 82 Tow hitch 83 Fire truck 84 Siren 85 Convoy 86 Emergency vehicle lighting 87 Agricultural machinery 88 Electric bicycle 89 Electric vehicle 90 Pedelec 91 Quadricycle 92 Microcar 93 All-terrain vehicle 94 Van 95 Recreational vehicle 96 Scooter 97 Trikke 98 Personal mobility device 99 Skateboard 100 Segway ...