The Driving License of the People's Republic of China () is the legal driving license of the People's Republic of China. It is issued, ratified, and regularly inspected by the traffic administrative department of the public security organ.Law of the People's Republic of China on Road Traffic Safety-中华人民共和国道路交通安全法-www.lawinfochina.com 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.
History
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" ( or ) of the region or other similar proof in order to take a test and get a license (of any Type). 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.
Types of license
TypeNameChineseAge of applicationOther categories includedIntl. Eqs. A1 Heavy passenger vehicles (20 passengers or more) 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 24–50 B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, C6, M E A3 City buses (10 passengers or more) 20–50 C1, C2, C3, C4 D B1 Middle passenger vehicles (10-19 passengers) 21–50 C1, C2, C3, C4, M D1 B2 Heavy goods vehicles 20–50 C1, C2, C3, C4, M C C1 Light motor vehicles, campers (9 passengers or less) 18+ C2, C3, C4B C2 Automatic transmission light motor vehicles 18+ C3 Low-speed goods vehicles 18–60 C4 C4 Three-wheel motor vehicles 18–60 B1 C5 Small passenger cars with automatic transmission for people with disabilities 18–70 N/A C6Vehicles with a trailer with a total mass (gcm/gcwr) less than (but not equal to) 4500 kg 20–60 BE D Ordinary three-wheel motorcycles (over 50cc / 50 km/h) 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
References