Getting a temporary driving licence in China is much easier than many visitors realise. Living in a city like Shanghai means there’s rarely any need to drive. Didi is cheap and convenient, and parking can be expensive and difficult. However, there are times when having a car is useful, particularly if you’re travelling elsewhere in China and want the freedom to explore at your own pace.
You cannot legally drive in China using your home country’s driving licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP). Instead, foreign visitors must obtain a temporary driving licence (officially called a Temporary Driving Permit) before renting and driving a car in China.
If you are living in China long term, obtaining a full Chinese driving licence is also an option, but it requires passing a theory test and the application process is more involved. By contrast, the Temporary Driving Permit scheme is surprisingly simple. No driving test is required and the permit itself is free, and in my case the entire process took just one afternoon. The main drawbacks are that it is valid for only one year and can only be used to drive rental vehicles.
Before You Start
I obtained my temporary driving licence in Shanghai in mid-2026. Here’s the exact process I followed.
Temporary Driving Licence in China: Licence Translation
Before heading to the traffic management bureau, you will need to get your licence from your home country translated into Chinese. This must be done by one of the approved translation offices listed below. For a full licence, you need to go in person but for the temporary licence, you can simply email a scanned copy of your licence and they will send back the translation in PDF format (after you pay the relevant fee).
Shanghai Foreign Affairs Translation Workers Association
Address: Room 1607, No 1277, West Beijing Road, Jing’an district
Contact: 021-6321-8568, 021-6323-9910
E-Mail：[email protected]
Open: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 4:30 pm
Shanghai SISU Translation Service Co
Address: No 573, Chifeng Road, Hongkou district
Contact: 021-6536-2032
E-Mail：[email protected]
Open: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 4:30 pm
I used the Beijing Road office by email rather than in person. After sending my licence and paying the RMB 50 fee via WeChat, I received the PDF translation around 90 minutes later and then headed straight to the Vehicle Management Office.
You will need to also provide a Chinese name for your licence because they cannot use English characters on the licence.
The translation office warns that their translation is only guaranteed for the Shanghai Vehicle Management Office and might not be acceptable in other cities.
Vehicle Management Office Locations
There are several Vehicle Management Office locations you can choose from, depending on what’s most convenient for you, although none of the offices are particularly close to central Shanghai. I travelled from Changning all the way to Pudong (East San Lin Road, line 11) by Shanghai Metro, and it wasn’t really too bad.
Below is a list of Vehicle Management Offices:
Vehicle Management Office First Branch
2999, West Huaxia Road, Pudong New Area
Open: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm
Vehicle Management Office Second Branch
Address: Gate 3, No 179, Qinchun Road, Minhang district
Open: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm
Vehicle Management Office Third Branch
Address: No 2638, Hunan Road, Pudong New Area
Open: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm
Vehicle Management Office Fourth Branch
Address: No 299, Anfen Road, Baoshan district
Open: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm
While any of these offices should be able to issue a temporary driving licence, I visited Branch No. 1 in Pudong and found the process straightforward.
What To Bring
You will need to bring the following documents to the Vehicle Management Office:
- Passport
- Original driving licence from your home country (not an International Driving Permit)
- Translation of your driving licence in Chinese
- Temporary residence registration form (the one you get when you register with the police when arriving in China)
What To Do When You Arrive
Tell the receptionist you want a temporary driving licence. They deal with these frequently so they should know immediately what you’re after and I was told to first go to get my photo taken. There’s a special room just for this. Someone will use a camera to take your photo and give you a receipt. Take this back to the receptionist and they will direct you to a waiting area and a number. When your number is called, go to the corresponding counter, explain what you want and they will ask you for all the required documents.
Once they have inspected your documents, they will return your passport and ask you to go and sit in front of a large screen that is showing road safety and driving regulations. This is the part that many people found somewhat confusing because it seemed as though you needed to watch the road safety video for at least 30 minutes, or even longer, before someone came over with your new licence.
That’s it! You are done. I was confused because at no stage did they take any payment from me. I asked and they said there is no fee for the temporary licence.
Using Your Temporary Driving Licence
As mentioned, this licence only allows you to drive rental cars, not privately owned vehicles. You must carry the car rental contract, your licence and your original home country licence with you whenever you are driving in China.
Final Thoughts
Before applying, I expected the process to be complicated and time-consuming. In reality, it was surprisingly simple. From arranging the licence translation to returning home with my temporary driving licence, the entire process took just one afternoon. There was no fee, no driving test, and it was much quicker than I expected. If you’re planning to rent a car during your stay in China, I’d definitely recommend getting a temporary driving licence.
Planning a road trip in China
Once you’ve got your temporary driving licence, you can use Trip.com to compare hotels and attractions across China, making it easy to plan the rest of your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners get a temporary driving licence in China?
Yes. Foreign visitors with a valid driving licence from their home country can apply for a temporary driving licence in China. You will need a certified Chinese translation of your licence, your passport and your temporary residence registration form.
Can I drive in China with an International Driving Permit?
No. China does not recognise International Driving Permits (IDPs). Foreign drivers must obtain a temporary driving licence or a full Chinese driving licence before legally driving in China.
How much does a temporary driving licence in China cost?
The temporary driving licence itself is free. However, you will need to pay for an approved Chinese translation of your driving licence. In my case, the translation cost RMB 50.
How long is a temporary driving licence valid?
A temporary driving licence is valid for up to one year. The expiry date will be printed on the permit.
Can I drive my own car with a temporary driving licence?
No. A temporary driving licence only allows you to drive rental vehicles. It cannot be used to drive privately owned vehicles.
Do I need to take a driving test?
No. Unlike a full Chinese driving licence, obtaining a temporary driving licence does not require a theory or practical driving test.