How to get your Driver's License in Beijing! 2013 Edition

Having been in China for over a year, I feel the need to get out of the city sometimes. Despite having a foreign driver's license, it does not automatically transfer to usage in China. Instead, you need to just take a 100 question (based out of 1000 questions) test and score 90% or higher to get your Chinese license. Easy enough right? But this is China, nothing is that easy.

First, in order to even sign up for the test, you must get the following materials ready: (Hold up, big note: everything must be filled out in either black or blue ink - I would go for black, just to be super super safe. I don't quite understand the hatred for ball point pens here.)

Required Materials to Submit:


(1) Driver's license application form click here to download


(2) Original foreign drivers license and photo copy. Driver's license in non-Chinese language must attach a Chinese translation. The translation must be in their specified form. click here to download

(3) Applicant's original and photo copy identification documents aka Passport and copy

(4) 5 1-inch color photos with a white background 

(5) The original and copy of "Registration Form of Temporary Residence" via your local police station. 

(6) Original health certificate issued by hospital of county level or above. Holder of a valid foreign driver's license from foreign embassies, consulates and international organizations China's office needs not to provide health certificate. You can either pick up the health inspection form at the hospital or Click here to download.


Note: You may only go to their designated hospitals. Click here for their list of qualified hospitals. 

Bring: 1 1-inch photo of yourself and the form. Make sure you fill out everything in inky pen. They refuse to accept anything that isn't inky black pen. Also bring 10RMB for the fee. 

Once you get to the hospital, go to the 体检科 counter. It looks like this:

I had the great fortune of discovering Haidian Hospital doesn't start that process until 1PM -4PM. I learned this lesson in person on a rainy Tuesday morning at 7:30AM. If possible, try to call the hospital you want to go to ahead of time so you won't make the same mistake. 

The physical examination is basically a simple eye exam = read a row of E's (~ 7 of them) and spot the shape in the picture of spots = so you're not blind and color blind. The test should take less than a minute. The whole visit, in fact, should be less than 10 minutes.  

What's next??? 

YAY!!! You've prepared all the materials! You are awesome! 

Submitting Materials:

Now, if you've done all the above, you need to turn it in to here to register to take the written test:

Foreign Office of Beijing Motor Vehicle Registration:北京市公安局交管局车管所

Address: 北京 朝阳区 南四环东路18号 十八里店南桥

Foreign Office of Beijing Motor Vehicle Registration

Hours: M - F: 8:30 - 20:00
S - S: 9:30 - 16:00

Once you enter the main building, you want to make a left (or you can just enter from the left of the building) to reach the Foreign Affairs Section. You should see the sign below: 

The helpful peeps at the counter

After they approve of all the required documents you submit, and you're not missing anything, they will allow you to schedule a time to take the test. Tests are only available Tuesday and Wednesdays either in the morning at 9:30AM or in the afternoon at 2:30PM. After you sign a notebook and pay a 10rmb fee, they will provide you the following sheet to confirm your test time:

Preparing for the Test:

Starting in 2013 a new test version came out. Currently, they only have the Chinese version of the test study pamphlet. An alternative to deciphering a language is to download an app called "Driving in China." A friend used the app and decided it was pretty good. I used it, and decided it was not so bad. It was a bit confusing since I thought some answers contradicted others, but generally speaking it was a decent app. See here for my cheat sheets: click here to download

Taking the Test:
On the morning of the test, you go to same Foreign Affairs Section to wait for your test. Everyone is hurdled onto the 2nd floor where there are individual desks with computers on each. Your'e required to bring your passport and test examination paper. You have 45 minutes to take the entire test. I was only on question 63, when I saw that the Korean gramps had already finished and passed the test. Worry not! I did pass it without double checking all my answers, getting a 91/100!! Happiness ensued!. 

Getting your License:
After getting the stamp of approval from the boss man sitting at the head of the room, you go downstairs to counter #4 and exchange the test paper + 10RMB to get your license. Since I knew it would cost me more than 20rmb and time to come pick it up myself in a couple days, I choose the EMS service (20rmb) and had it shipped to my office. 

Lo and behold, after taking the test on Wednesday, it arrived on Friday!! I am now officially certified to drive in China. Next up, getting your Chinese credit card to rent a car! 

Good luck in getting that license! Hope this guide helped!