Foreign Driver’s License Car Rental Guide in China
- Hansong Li
- Sep 8
- 4 min read
Essential Documents for Car Rental
If you’re a foreigner looking to rent a car and drive in China, you need to bring the following key documents:
Proof of Identity: A passport is a must, as it serves as your legal identification in China. If you hold a Foreign Permanent Residence ID Card of the People’s Republic of China, it can also be used for identity verification during car rental, providing convenience for foreigners living in China long-term.
Proof of Driving Qualification: You need a valid Chinese driver’s license. If you haven’t obtained a Chinese driver’s license yet, don’t worry—you can still get temporary driving eligibility with a foreign driver’s license and relevant materials if you meet specific requirements.
Payment Method: International credit cards are widely accepted by most car rental companies in China, and some rental locations also recognize domestic credit cards. They are not only convenient for paying rental fees but also for covering other costs like deposits that may be required.
It’s important to note that for your first car rental, you must prepare your identity document information at least 1 working day in advance for the rental company to verify. This step ensures a smooth rental process and avoids delays to your travel plans due to untimely document verification.
Solutions for Those Without a Chinese Driver’s License
If you don’t have a Chinese driver’s license, there’s a way to drive legally. You can bring the following materials to a public security traffic management service hall to apply for a temporary driving permit for small cars:
1. Personal Identity and Driving Proof
A passport to confirm your identity information.
A foreign driver’s license and its Chinese translation. The translation must be issued by a professional translation agency, notary public, etc., to ensure accuracy and legality.
2. Photographs
Prepare recent 1-inch color photos (front-facing, half-body, bareheaded, with a white background). These photos are used for processing the temporary driving permit to ensure that the permit information matches your appearance accurately.
Regarding the validity period of the temporary driving permit, the specific regulations are as follows:
Short-term Stay (no more than 3 months): The temporary driving permit is valid for 3 months. During this period, you can legally drive vehicles that match your permitted driving type in China with this permit.
Long-term Stay (more than 3 months): The validity period can be extended to no more than 1 year. Within the validity period, even if you enter China multiple times, you don’t need to reapply for a temporary driving permit—greatly facilitating foreigners who stay in China long-term or travel to China frequently.
International Driver’s License Mutual Recognition and Exchange Agreements (Foreign Driver’s License Car Rental Guide in China)
Currently, China has actively cooperated with multiple countries and signed driver’s license mutual recognition and exchange agreements, bringing great convenience to holders of driver’s licenses from specific countries:
France: Since August 17, 2021, the “Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the French Republic on the Mutual Recognition and Exchange of Motor Vehicle Driver’s Licenses” has officially taken effect. For French driver’s license holders temporarily entering China for no more than 1 year, they can exchange their French driver’s license and translation for a temporary driving permit without a medical examination or test. Those who stay in China for more than 1 year can directly exchange their national driver’s license and translation, along with a passport, visa, or residence permit, for a Chinese driver’s license without taking an exam. The mutually recognized driver’s license categories include medium-sized buses, large trucks, small cars, and motorcycles.
Serbia: China and Serbia have signed a driver’s license mutual recognition and exchange agreement. Both sides recognize valid driver’s licenses issued by the other party. Holders of Serbian driver’s licenses can drive directly in China or exchange their licenses for Chinese ones without taking an exam. The specific regulations are similar to the Sino-French agreement, with the exchange method determined by the length of stay—facilitating personnel exchanges between the two countries.
Belgium: China and the Belgian Ministry of Transport have reached a bilateral convention on mutual recognition of driver’s licenses. A Chinese driver’s license, after legal translation and court certification and stamping, can be used to apply for conversion to a local driver’s license at the municipal hall of the place of residence. Similarly, holders of Belgian driver’s licenses can enjoy the mutual recognition and exchange policy in China in accordance with relevant procedures.
United Arab Emirates (UAE): In December 2015, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of the Interior of the United Arab Emirates signed a “Memorandum of Understanding on the Mutual Recognition and Exchange of Driver’s Licenses,” which officially took effect on March 14, 2016. Chinese tourists can rent cars and drive in the UAE for tourism purposes; conversely, holders of UAE driver’s licenses can also realize mutual recognition and exchange of driver’s licenses in China in accordance with regulations—facilitating driving trips for citizens of both countries in each other’s territories.
Before renting and driving a car, be sure to carefully check that your documents are complete and comply with regulations, and familiarize yourself with relevant traffic rules to ensure a safe and smooth self-driving trip in China.
Throughout this guide, Foreign Driver’s License Car Rental Guide in China serves as a key reference for foreigners navigating the car rental process, covering everything from document preparation to international agreements—making it easier for you to enjoy legal self-driving in China.
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