| Document Name: | Driving License of the People's Republic of China |
| Using Jurisdiction: | Prefectural public security bureau |
| Valid Jurisdictions: | Mainland China |
| Document Type: | Driving license |
| Eligibility: | At least 18 years old |
| Expiration: | 6 years, 10 years, or life-time |
| Cost: | 10 CNY |
| S: | 中华人民共和国机动车驾驶证 |
| P: | Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Jīdòngchē Jiàshǐzhèng |
| J: | zung1 waa4 jan4 man4 gung6 wo4 gwok3 gei1 dung6 ce1 gaa3 sai2 zing3 |
The Driving License of the People's Republic of China is the legal driving license in mainland China. It is issued, ratified, and regularly inspected by the traffic administrative department of the public security organ.[1] The minimum age varies from 18 for cars to 26 for large buses.
Learner's licenses, although granted, have little effect, as most training takes place within the confines of specially-designed training areas inaccessible, on paper, to the general motoring public. Previously, expressways were inaccessible even for holders of a normal driver's license if their license was less than a year old. However, this restriction has now been removed. Drivers with licenses less than a year old, however, are still considered "intern drivers" or "new drivers", and certain limitations apply to them (for example, displaying a uniform label on the car when they are driving, or having a person with at least three years experience in the front passenger seat while on highways). The PRC considers the driving license, under a new law, an administrative license .
The PRC is not a party to any of the three conventions regarding an International Driving Permit and therefore such licences are not valid in the country. Foreign drivers with a valid residence permit can apply for a Chinese driver’s license, but drivers visiting the PRC must obtain a temporary licence for the length of their stay.[2] Those bringing their own vehicles must additionally register their vehicle, obtain a temporary Chinese license plate and be accompanied by a native guide.
On April 10, 2019, the Ministry of Public Security announced that applications for light motor vehicles (Type C1, C2, and C5) are no longer required to provide proof of residence in the issuing region if their hukou is not in the region. Before that, anyone whose hukou is not in the issuing region must have a "temporary living permit" (Chinese: 暂住证 or Chinese: 居住证) of the region or other similar proof in order to take a test and get a license (of any Type).[3] In October 2020, the Ministry of Public Security said that obtaining a motorcycle driver's license (Type D, E, and F) will not require a hukou starting on 20 November 2020.[4] Some regions within China do not issue motorcycle licenses, effectively banning motorcycle driving.
| Type | Name | Chinese | Age of application | Other categories included | Intl. Eqs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Heavy passenger vehicles (20 passengers or more) | Chinese: 大型客车 | 26-50 | A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, M | D |
| A2 | Semi-trailer trucks or vehicles with a trailer with a total mass heavier than (but not equal to) 4500 kg | Chinese: 重型牵引车 | 24-50 | B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, C6, M | E |
| A3 | City buses (10 passengers or more) | Chinese: 城市公交车 | 20-50 | C1, C2, C3, C4 | D |
| B1 | Middle passenger vehicles (10-19 passengers) | Chinese: 中型客车 | 21-50 | C1, C2, C3, C4, M | D1 |
| B2 | Heavy goods vehicles | Chinese: 大型货车 | 20-50 | C1, C2, C3, C4, M | C |
| C1 | Light motor vehicles, campers (9 passengers or less) | Chinese: 小型汽车 | 18+ | C2, C3, C4 | B |
| C2 | Automatic transmission light motor vehicles | Chinese: 小型自动档汽车 | 18+ | ||
| C3 | Low-speed goods vehicles | Chinese: 低速载货汽车 | 18-60 | C4 | |
| C4 | Three-wheel motor vehicles | Chinese: 三轮汽车 | 18-60 | B1 | |
| C5 | Small passenger cars with automatic transmission for people with disabilities | Chinese: 残疾人专用小型自动挡载客汽车 | 18-70 | N/A | |
| C6 | Vehicles with a trailer with a total mass less than (but not equal to) 4500 kg | Chinese: 轻型牵引挂车 | 20-60 | BE | |
| D | Ordinary three-wheel motorcycles (over 50cc / 50 km/h) | Chinese: 普通三轮摩托车 | 18-60 | E, F | B1 |
| E | Ordinary two-wheel motorcycles (over 50cc / 50 km/h) | 普通二轮摩托车 | 18-60 | F | A |
| F | Light motorcycles (50cc / 50 km/h or less) | 轻便摩托车 | 18-70 | A1 | |
| M | Wheel type automobiles | 轮式自行机械车 | 18-60 | N/A | |
| N | Trolleybuses | 无轨电车 | 20-50 | ||
| P | Trams | 有轨电车 | 20-50 |