International Driving PermitChina

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

1. International Driving Permit

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates the information on a national driving licence into a standardised format for use abroad. It can help authorities understand a foreign licence when driving in another country, but it does not replace the original driving licence. Drivers normally need to carry both documents together. Whether an IDP is required depends on the countries that issued the licence and where the person intends to drive, so requirements should be checked before travelling.

Can a visitor drive in mainland China with only an International Driving Permit?

No. Mainland China generally requires an appropriate Chinese driving licence or temporary driving permit. An IDP or overseas licence by itself does not authorise driving there.

🔗 jtgl.beijing.gov.cn • Mainland China — Law Article 19; MPS licensing rule 172 Article 21, overseas document not standalone authorisation

🔗 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