Holders of a valid driving license (excluding learner's license, provisional driver's license and probationary driver's license) for a foreign country are eligible to apply for a driving license in the PRC (corresponding to the type of motor vehicle you intend to drive). Applications using an "International Driving Permit" (IDP) will NOT be accepted.
Required Documents
(I) The applicant's identity document;
(II) A Medical Certificate of Physical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Drivers issued by a medical institution designated by the Beijing Municipal Health Commission as qualified to conduct driver health examinations, which can be a hospital at or above the secondary level, a township health center, a community health service center, or a health examination center, or by a medical institution of the military or the People's Armed Police Force at or above the regiment level. If the relevant information has already been transmitted electronically, the applicant is not required to submit a paper copy of the certificate;
(III) The applicant's overseas motor vehicle driving license. If the license is not in Chinese, a Chinese translation issued by a translation agency or notarized by a notarial institution must also be provided;
(IV) The applicant's passport, the Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao, or the Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Taiwan, as applicable, if the applicant is a Chinese mainland resident;
(V) Five color photos of the motor vehicle driver. The photos must be straight-edged, front-facing, bareheaded, half-length ID photos of the applicant alone, taken within the six months before the application. The background must be white; the applicant must not wear a uniform; the image must be clear, with well-defined tonal detail, a natural facial expression, and no noticeable distortion. Each photo must measure 32 mm × 22 mm (approximately 1 inch), with a head width of 14–16 mm and a head length of 19–22 mm.
Handling Authority
Motor Vehicle Administration Office of the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau
Application Locations
(I) The following applicants who apply to exchange an overseas driving license for a Chinese mainland driving license for small cars (C1 or C2) without taking a driving test shall apply at the Motor Vehicle Administration Office of the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau:
- Foreign nationals;
- Residents of China's Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan region who have not obtained a Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Residents;
- Residents of China's Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan region who are aged 70 or above and have obtained a Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Residents;
- Permanent residents of China's Macao SAR who hold a valid and full Macao driving license for light vehicles (Category B or Category B restricted to light vehicles with automatic transmissions) or larger vehicle types.
(II) Chinese mainland residents, and holders of a Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Residents under the age of 70 shall apply at one of the following locations:
1. Applicants whose highest vehicle category applied for is large passenger buses or large goods vehicles shall apply at the Jingchao, Jingnan, or Jingbei Branch Office;
2. Applicants whose highest vehicle category applied for is heavy towing trailers shall apply at the Jingnan Branch Office;
3. Applicants whose highest vehicle category applied for is medium-sized passenger buses shall apply at the Jingchao, Jingfeng, Jingnan, or Jingbei Branch Office;
4. Applicants applying for any other vehicle category may apply at any branch office of the Motor Vehicle Administration Office.
(III) After obtaining a motor vehicle driving license, applicants may also log in to their personal accounts on the Traffic Management 12123 (交管12123) app to apply for an electronic version of their motor vehicle driving licenses.
Office Hours
The Motor Vehicle Administration Office of the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau and its branches:
08:30 to 18:00 from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday (except national statutory holidays)
Enquiry Number
+86-10-12123
(I) An applicant who holds an overseas motor vehicle driving license and applies for a Chinese driving license shall take the Subject 1 test. The Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3 tests are required for a driving license for large passenger buses, heavy towing trailers, city buses, medium-sized passenger buses, or large goods vehicles. If applying simultaneously for the driving licenses for both large passenger buses and heavy towing trailers, or for both medium-sized passenger buses and large goods vehicles, the applicant shall take the Subject 1 test for the highest vehicle category applied for and shall take the Subject 3 test prescribed for each of the two vehicle categories separately. For a Chinese mainland resident who holds an overseas motor vehicle driving license and, at the time of obtaining the license, has resided in the issuing country or region for a cumulative period of less than 90 days, he/she shall take the Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3 tests.
(II) If the applicant holds a motor vehicle driving license issued by Belgium, or is a citizen of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and holds a motor vehicle driving license issued in UAE, he/she may, when applying for a driving license for small cars or small automatic-transmission cars, be exempt from tests and be issued a driving license directly.
(III) If the applicant has resided in France for a full year, whether continuously or cumulatively, and obtained his/her driving license during that period of residence for an eligible vehicle category (AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, or DE), provided that the license is a EU-format French driving license issued on or after September 16, 2013 (excluding probationary driver's licenses, learner's licenses, and military driving licenses) and the applicant meets the application requirements outlined in the Provisions on the Application for and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses issued by the Ministry of Public Security, he/she shall be exempt from tests and may directly exchange the license for a corresponding motor vehicle driving license for the vehicle category C1, C2, D, E, or F.
(IV) If the applicant has resided in China for more than 1 year, holds a Serbian driving license for one of the 14 vehicle categories, such as AM and A1 (excluding learner's licenses, provisional driver's licenses, and international driving permits), and meets the application requirements outlined in the Provisions on the Application for and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses issued by the Ministry of Public Security, he/she shall be exempt from tests and may directly exchange the license for a corresponding motor vehicle driving license for the vehicle category C1, C2, D, E, or F. For Chinese mainland residents and residents of Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and the Taiwan region who hold Serbian driving licenses, Serbia must have been their country of habitual residence when the licenses were issued.
(V) If the applicant is a permanent resident of Macao SAR and holds a valid and full Macao driving license for light vehicles (Category B) or larger vehicle types, meets the age, physical fitness, and other requirements for first-time applicants, and has studied road traffic safety laws and regulations, may exchange his/her Macao driving license for a Chinese mainland driving license for small cars (C1) without taking a driving test. Permanent residents of the Macao SAR who hold valid and full Macao driving licenses for light vehicles (Category B restricted to light vehicles with automatic transmissions) or larger vehicle types, meet the age, physical fitness, and other requirements for first-time applicants, and have studied road traffic safety laws and regulations, may exchange their Macao driving licenses for Chinese mainland driving licenses for small automatic-transmission cars (C2) without taking a driving test.
(VI) If the applicant is a staff member of a foreign embassy/consulate in China, the China-based representative office of an international organization, the application shall be processed in accordance with the principle of diplomatic reciprocity.
(VII) Every applicant shall complete all required subject tests within three years from the date the application is accepted by the Motor Vehicle Administration Office.
(VIII) The requirements regarding test content, driving distance, passing criteria, and test time shall be governed by the provisions on tests for first-time applicants and applicants adding a vehicle category to their driving licenses.
- Qualification Criteria
- Timeline and Fees
- Points for Attention
Eligibility Requirements
The following persons, if they hold motor vehicle driving licenses issued by foreign countries, or China's Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR or Taiwan region, must meet the following requirements and must not be subject to any statutory disqualification from applying for a driving license:
- Residents of Beijing;
- Residents of the Chinese mainland who live in Beijing;
- Active-duty military personnel, including members of the People's Armed Police Force, whose units are stationed in Beijing;
- Persons from outside the Chinese mainland, whose place of residence or temporary residence is in Beijing.
(1) Age Requirements
1. Applicants for driving licenses for small cars, small automatic-transmission cars, small passenger cars with automatic transmission for people with disabilities, or light motorcycles must be at least 18 years of age;
2. Applicants for driving licenses for ordinary three‑wheeled motorcycles or ordinary two‑wheeled motorcycles must be at least 18 years of age and not more than 70 years of age;
3. Applicants for driving licenses for light towing trailers must be at least 20 years of age and not more than 70 years of age;
4. Applicants for driving licenses for low‑speed goods vehicles, three‑wheeled motor vehicles, or wheeled mobile machinery for special purpose must be at least 18 years of age and not more than 63 years of age;
5. Applicants for driving licenses for city buses, medium‑sized passenger buses, large goods vehicles, trolleybuses, or trams must be at least 20 years of age and not more than 63 years of age;
6. Applicants for driving licenses for large passenger buses or heavy towing trailers must be at least 22 years of age and not more than 63 years of age.
(2) Physical Requirements
1. Height: Those who apply for the driving category of large passenger vehicles, heavy tractor-trailers, city buses, large cargo vehicles, or trolleybuses shall have a height of 155 centimeters or above. Those who apply for the driving category of medium-sized passenger vehicles shall have a height of 150 centimeters or above;
2. Visual acuity: Those who apply for the driving category of large passenger buses, heavy tractor-trailers, city buses, medium-sized passenger vehicles, large cargo vehicles, trolleybuses or trams shall have uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of 5.0 or above in both eyes on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. For those who apply for other driving categories, their uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of both eyes shall be 4.9 or above on the standard logarithmic visual acuity chart. Persons with monocular visual impairment, whose better eye has uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of 5.0 or above on the logarithmic visual acuity chart and a horizontal field of view of 150 degrees, may each apply for a motor vehicle driving license for the driving category of small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed cargo vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, or small automatic passenger vehicles for persons with disabilities;
3. Color perception: No red-green color blindness;
4. Hearing: Applicants shall be able to identify the direction of a sound source when a tuning fork is placed 50 centimeters away from each ear, with each ear tested separately. Applicants with hearing impairment who can satisfy the above requirement with hearing aids may each apply for a motor vehicle driving license for the driving category of small cars or small automatic transmission cars;
5. Upper limbs: Both thumbs shall be intact, each hand shall have at least three other intact fingers, and limbs and fingers shall have normal motor function. However, applicants with incomplete distal finger segments, and those with at least three intact fingers on the left hand and intact palms on both hands, may each apply for a motor vehicle driving license for the driving category of small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed cargo vehicles or three-wheeled vehicles;
6. Lower limbs: Both lower limbs shall be intact with normal motor function, and the length difference between the two limbs shall not exceed 5 centimeters. Applicants whose left lower limb alone is missing or has lost motor function while the right lower limb remains normal may each apply for a motor vehicle driving license for the driving category of small automatic transmission cars;
7. Trunk and neck: No impairment of motor function;
8. Applicants whose right lower limb or both lower limbs are missing or have lost motor function may each apply for a motor vehicle driving license for the driving category of small automatic passenger vehicles for persons with disabilities, provided they can sit upright independently and their upper limbs comply with the provisions of Item 5 of this subsection. Applicants missing one palm may also apply for the aforesaid driving category, on condition that the other hand has an intact thumb plus at least two other intact fingers, upper limbs and fingers have normal motor function, and their lower limbs comply with the provisions of Item 6 of this subsection;
9. Applicants aged 70 or above who pass the tests covering memory, judgment, reaction capacity and other cognitive abilities may apply for a motor vehicle driving license for the driving category of small cars, small automatic transmission cars, small automatic passenger vehicles for persons with disabilities or lightweight motorcycles.
(3) Circumstances Rendering an Applicant Ineligible
1. Suffering from any disease that endangers safe driving, including organic heart disease, epilepsy, Meniere's syndrome, vertigo, hysteria, paralysis agitans, mental illness, dementia, and neurological disorders affecting limb mobility;
2. Having used or injected drugs within the past three years; having been released from compulsory isolated drug rehabilitation less than three years ago; or having an unresolved addiction caused by long-term use of dependence-producing psychotropic drugs;
3. Having committed a criminal offense by fleeing the scene after causing a traffic accident;
4. Having committed a criminal offense by causing a major traffic accident while driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or while intoxicated;
5. Having had one's motor vehicle driving license revoked in accordance with the law for driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated or for driving a commercial motor vehicle after consuming alcohol, where fewer than five years have elapsed since the revocation;
6. Having had one's motor vehicle driving license revoked in accordance with the law for driving a commercial motor vehicle while intoxicated, where fewer than 10 years have elapsed since the revocation;
7. Having had one's motor vehicle driving license revoked in accordance with the law for committing a criminal offense by engaging in street racing or competitive driving, carrying more passengers than permitted, exceeding the speed limit, or transporting hazardous chemicals in violation of the regulations on the safety management of hazardous chemicals, where fewer than five years have elapsed since the revocation;
8. Fewer than 10 years having elapsed since the driving license was revoked in accordance with law for committing a criminal offense by causing a major traffic accident through other violations of traffic laws or regulations (other than a criminal offense committed by causing a major traffic accident while driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or while intoxicated);
9. Fewer than two years having elapsed since the driving license was revoked in accordance with law for other reasons;
10. Fewer than three years having elapsed since the driving permit was revoked in accordance with law;
11. Fewer than 10 years having elapsed since the applicant caused serious injury or death in a traffic accident while driving a motor vehicle without having obtained a motor vehicle driving license and was determined to bear equal or greater responsibility for the accident;
12. Having taken a motor vehicle driver's test on behalf of another person within the past three years;
13. Other circumstances prescribed by laws and administrative regulations.
Any person who drives a motor vehicle without having obtained a motor vehicle driving license and falls under any of the following circumstances may not apply for a motor vehicle driving license within the prescribed period:
- Fewer than five years have elapsed since the driving license was revoked in accordance with law for driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated or for driving a commercial motor vehicle after consuming alcohol;
- Fewer than 10 years have elapsed since the driving license was revoked in accordance with law for driving a commercial motor vehicle while intoxicated;
- Fewer than five years have elapsed since the driving license was revoked in accordance with law for committing a criminal offense by driving a motor vehicle in street racing, overloading, speeding, or transporting hazardous chemicals in violation of the regulations on the safety management of hazardous chemicals;
- Fewer than 10 years have elapsed since the driving license was revoked in accordance with law for committing a criminal offense by causing a major traffic accident through other violations of traffic laws or regulations (other than a criminal offense committed by causing a major traffic accident while driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or while intoxicated).
(4) Circumstances Rendering an Applicant Ineligible for a Driving License for Large Passenger Buses, Heavy Towing Trailers, City Buses, Medium-Sized Passenger Buses, or Large Goods Vehicles
1. Having caused a traffic accident resulting in death and bearing equal or greater responsibility for the accident;
2. Having driven a motor vehicle while intoxicated;
3. Having committed a repeat offense of driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol;
4. Having driven a motor vehicle after using or injecting drugs, or having a record of being subject to community-based drug rehabilitation, compulsory isolated drug rehabilitation, or community-based rehabilitation measures;
5. Having committed a criminal offense by engaging in street racing or competitive driving, carrying more passengers than permitted, exceeding the speed limit, or transporting hazardous chemicals in violation of the regulations on the safety management of hazardous chemicals;
6. Fewer than 10 years having elapsed since the driving license was revoked or canceled in accordance with law;
7. Having driven a motor vehicle without having obtained a motor vehicle driving license and having caused serious injury or death in a traffic accident for which the applicant bears equal or greater responsibility.
(5) An applicant who holds an overseas motor vehicle driving license, meets the application requirements set out in these provisions, and, at the time of obtaining the license, has resided in the country or region that issued the license for a cumulative total of at least 90 days within a one-year period, may apply for a motor vehicle driving license for the corresponding vehicle category. Applicants applying for a driving license for large passenger buses, heavy towing trailers, or medium-sized passenger buses must also have held a corresponding overseas driving license for at least two years.
(6) An applicant who holds a motor vehicle driving license issued in the Chinese mainland for small automatic-transmission cars may, upon presentation of an overseas motor vehicle driving license that authorizes the holder to drive small cars, exchange that license for a motor vehicle driving license for small cars without taking a driving test;
An applicant who holds a motor vehicle driving license issued in the Chinese mainland for light motorcycles may, upon presentation of an overseas motor vehicle driving license that authorizes the holder to drive ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles and ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, exchange that license for a motor vehicle driving license for ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles and ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles without taking a driving test;
An applicant who holds a motor vehicle driving license issued in the Chinese mainland for ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles may, upon presentation of an overseas motor vehicle driving license that authorizes the holder to drive ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, exchange that license for a motor vehicle driving license for ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles without taking a driving test.
(7) Where a Chinese citizen returns to the Chinese mainland from overseas and applies to exchange an overseas motor vehicle driving license for a motor vehicle driving license issued in the Chinese mainland, if no more than six months have elapsed since the expiration of the overseas motor vehicle driving license, the application may be made through normal procedures.
Vehicle Categories for Which Applications May Be Made
Applicants may apply for motor vehicle driving licenses issued in the Chinese mainland corresponding to the authorized vehicle categories of the overseas motor vehicle driving licenses they hold. However, if they do not meet the eligibility requirements for the corresponding vehicle categories in terms of age, height, or other eligibility conditions, or voluntarily choose lower vehicle categories, they may apply for driving licenses for lower vehicle categories for which they meet the requirements.
Issuance of Driving Licenses
After passing the required test(s), the applicant shall receive at least 30 minutes of education on traffic safety and responsible driving knowledge, as well as warning education based on traffic accident cases, and shall attend the oath‑taking ceremony for receiving the license. The Motor Vehicle Administration Office shall issue the motor vehicle driving license on the same day that the applicant attends the oath‑taking ceremony.
Handling Procedures
Acceptance and review of application: Where the applicant meets the requirements and is not required to take a test, the driving license shall be produced and issued directly. Where a test is required, the driving license shall be produced and issued after the applicant passes the test.
Fees
(I) A production fee of 10 yuan is charged for each motor vehicle driving license;
(II) The test fee for road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge (Subject 1) is 50 yuan per person per attempt;
(III) The test fee for road driving skills and knowledge of safe and responsible driving (Subject 3) is 60 yuan per person per attempt.
Definition of Identity Documents
(I) For Chinese mainland residents, proof of identity means a Resident ID Card or a Temporary Resident ID Card.
(II) For active-duty military personnel (including members of the People's Armed Police Force), proof of identity means a Resident Identity Card or a Temporary Resident Identity Card issued by this municipality. Before they obtain a Resident Identity Card, their proof of identity shall consist of valid military identity documents issued by the relevant military authorities, such as an officer's certificate, a civilian cadre certificate, a soldier's certificate, a certificate of retirement from active service, or a retirement certificate, together with proof of the military unit's stationing address in this municipality issued by a unit at or above the regiment level;
(III) For residents of China's Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, proof of identity refers to a Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents. Alternatively, it can be the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents held by the applicant or the People's Republic of China Travel Document issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, together with an accommodation registration certificate issued by a public security organ. Submission of the accommodation registration certificate is waived where electronic information verification is available. For permanent residents of Macao SAR who hold a valid and full Macao driving license for light vehicles (Category B or Category B restricted to light vehicles with automatic transmissions) or larger vehicle types, and who apply to exchange their Macao driving license for a Chinese mainland driving license for small cars (C1 or C2) without taking a driving test, proof of identity means the Macao Permanent Resident Identity Card;
(IV) For non-Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of China's Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR, proof of identity means the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Nationals), together with an accommodation registration certificate issued by a public security organ. Submission of the accommodation registration certificate is waived where electronic information verification is available;
(V) For residents of China's Taiwan region, proof of identity refers to a Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents. Alternatively, it can be a five-year Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents issued by a public security organ, or the People's Republic of China Travel Document issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, together with an accommodation registration certificate issued by a public security organ. Submission of the accommodation registration certificate is waived where electronic information verification is available;
(VI) For Chinese citizens residing permanently abroad, proof of identity means a passport of the People's Republic of China, together with an accommodation registration certificate issued by a public security organ. Submission of the accommodation registration certificate is waived where electronic information verification is available;
(VII) For foreign nationals, proof of identity means a valid passport or any other international travel document held by the applicant, a valid visa with a period of stay of at least 3 months or a stay or residence permit, and an accommodation registration certificate issued by a public security organ. Submission of the accommodation registration certificate is waived where electronic information verification is available. Alternatively, proof of identity may be a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card;
(VIII) For personnel of foreign embassies and consulates in China and personnel of representative offices of international organizations in China, proof of identity means a valid identity document issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.
(IX) An overseas motor vehicle driving license means a formal driving license issued by a foreign country or by China's Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and Taiwan region, which authorizes the holder to drive a motor vehicle independently. It does not include a learner's license, a provisional driver's license, or a probationary driver's license.