RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in China

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, C1 (manual) or C2 (automatic)

Getting your licence in China

Subject One theory questions100
Points needed to pass90
Test subjects: theory, manoeuvres, road3
Probation after your first licence12 months

Fees, including driving school, vary a lot by city.

Before you start driving

2
Learner's permitYes. A learning permit is issued once you're accepted for the tests.
Medical checkYes. A health certificate from a county-level or higher hospital.

Required lessons

1
Driving schoolIn practice you train and book your tests through a registered driving school.

Good to know

8
Minimum age18 for a car licence (C1 manual or C2 automatic).
Licence validity6 years at first. Then 10 years, then long-term, if you never reach 12 penalty points in a year.
Exam languagesAsk the Vehicle Administration Office. Big cities offer the theory test in English as well as Chinese.
If you failOne free retake per test. After that, rebook: 10 days' wait for the driving tests, and at most 5 bookings each for Subjects Two and Three.
Automatic or manualA C2 licence covers automatics only. To add manual cars (C1), you take Subjects Two and Three again.
New driversA 12-month probation with a probation sign on the car. On expressways, an experienced driver (3+ years) must ride with you.
Already have a licence from abroad?Foreign licences are converted after the Subject One theory test only, if you lived 90+ days in the issuing country when you got it. See the Abroad tab.
Also worth knowing
  • Finish all the tests within the 3 years after your application is accepted, or start again.

Step by step

  1. Health certificateFrom a county-level or higher hospital.
  2. Subject OneTheory test: 100 questions, 90 to pass.
  3. Subject TwoManoeuvres on a test ground: 80 out of 100 for cars.
  4. Subject ThreeRoad test, plus a 50-question safe driving test. 90 to pass each.
  5. LicenceWith 12 months' probation.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • In Subject Two, the hill start and stopping at a marked point lose the most marks. Practise stopping close to the edge line, and always put the handbrake on.
  • In Subject Three in a manual car, match your gear to your speed. Staying in one gear, or never using the highest gear, costs points.
  • Turn your head to look back before you pull away, pull over, overtake or change lanes. A glance in the mirror isn't enough.
  • Indicate at least 3 seconds before you turn or change lanes, and keep the indicator on through the turn.
  • Slow down at crossings and near schools without being told to. Not giving way to pedestrians or vehicles at a junction fails the test.

Based on: Hangzhou traffic police via Zhejiang Online: Why candidates fail Subjects Two and Three (2017, Chinese) ↗ · Ningguo Public Security Bureau: Changes to the driver test standard GA 1026 (2017, Chinese) ↗

Official links

Ministry of Public Security: Regulations on driving licences (Order 162, Chinese) ↗Chongqing government: Converting an overseas licence ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

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