How to get a driver’s license in Shanghai, China

Information as of 1 Oct 2019

I have been traveling out and about in Shanghai for a quite few years. Although public transporations (Didi, Taxi, Bus, Subway) are pretty much afforable, abundant and convienent, driving is still a better option when getting around city or carrying stuff. Driving in a big city like Shanghai is indeed pretty easy. Road/lane signs are very clear and people are generally following the rules (otherwise their 12-score will be deducted)

Having a valid driver’s license from Thailand make it so easy for me to get one in China as I could possibly get it all done in one day.

Type of driver’s licenses for foreigners:

1. 90-day Temporary Driver’s License. No test needed. Just prep document and go to Traffic Police Department — For those who are in China with short-term visa, e.g. tourist or business
2. 6-year Driver’s License. Need to pass a written exam — For thoes who poses student visa, residence permit, etc.

In my case, I applied for a 6 year one.

Document required — for 6-yr driver’s license:

All other sources I found on Google asked me to prep a number of documents and photocopy them, which turned out to be useless. Here is an exhausive list of documents that are actually required:

1. Passport + Visa / Residence permit (on your passport)
2. Registeration Form of Temporary Residence
3. Driver’s license from other country (in my case, from Thailand)
4. Notorized translation of your driver’s license. (look at the place you can get it on list in the photo below) — I paid for 50 RMB for 5 mins service at Shanghai Interpreter’s Association, close to Jian’an. I heard fee varies based on original language.

No photocopy required at all.

Location:

I initially went to the popular traffic police department at 1330 Hami Lu, as it is recommended on all websites. It is located on the westside of Shanghai, close to Shanghai Zoo and Hongqiao Airport. But, unfortunately, it was closed down when I arrived; buildings were being demolished. Not sure if it was just for renovation or permanently closed.

I was lucky enough to meet with a random agent at the gate. He was really nice and pointed out to an annoncement and say Wai Gou (Foreigners) need to go to 2999 Huafuxi Lu (华复西路 2999 号）instead, which is indeed quite close to my home in Pudong.

The closest subway station is Huafuxi Station 华复西路站 on line 6 and requires a quite walk (1kms) or 10 mins biking.

At the site, there is two buildings. Go directly to the small building and enter to the front gate (as marked below)

Process:

1. Go to the reception. Hand your passport (Huzhao) and telling them that you want to get a driver’s license. The staff will give you a paper with number.
2. Walk to the main hall just behind the reception. Sit down, prep your document and wait for the call. They would call only in China. If you are familiar with Chinese numbering, you better pay attention to the screen.
3. Hand your document to the staff. She/he will check all document thoroughly and make some photocopies. You need to have a chinese name at this step as the driver’s license would only print your chinease name on it, not your name with roman alphabets. Also need to tell the officer that you wish to get a temporary 90day or a 6yr driver’s license. She will print a form for you and ask you to go get a photoshoot and health inspection.
4. Walk out of the hall and turn left twice. You will find a small dining hall and next to it are a photoshoot and health inspection rooms. The process is very simple and take only around 5 mins to complete. These two services costs 85 RMB (Not sure if cash is accepted) Collect your photo and health inspection paper. Go back to the reception, get a number and wait at the main hall again.
5. Staff will check all document once again, staple them together and ask for when you want to have a 45min written test. All information I initially found on internet said the schedule is alway packed and usually available in the following week, which is not true in my case! The staff asks if I want to take the test immediately? — that was 1 pm. Unfortunately I did not plan for this, so set a test date one week later. The written test has a fee of 40 RMB. If you fail, you can schedule again and pay 40 RMB (Not sure if cash is accepted)

These 5 steps took me only around a hour, more than half was for figuring things out. If you follow my experience, it should take only 30 mins and if you come in the morning, it is possible to get your 6yr driver’s license on the same day. One interesting thing is this office is not closed at lunch time.

Preparation for the written test:

I would say the test seems to be more difficult than those I took in the past because the threshold to pass is 90/100 (90%). I had two written tests before: one in Thailand in 2007 and another one in Massachusetts, US in 2012, which requires only 27/35 (75%) and 18/25 (72%)

Basically, the test will test you following typical driving knowledge (non-exhasive list)

1. Car manuvuer: signs on dashboard, buttons, levers and pedals.
2. Road signs, traffic signals, police’s hand signs.
3. Safety. e.g. who should go first at a junction?
4. Laws and penalties. This is highly recommended that you need to learn about China’s unique 12 point scoring system.

I personally believe if you have extensive driving experiences in western countries before, you can definitely pass 80/100 with your guts. However, to pass at 90/100, you may consider to do some mock tests and learn about Chinese law and penalties beforehand.

I spent around 10 hours going thru mock tests (around 800 questions) and readings on the internet. Here are my study resources:

1. Driving in China App (App Store — 1.99USD)
2. Road signs in China (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_signs_in_China) — please note that some of the english lable on this website is not the same as those on the app e.g. Warning sign: School ahead vs. Children — better following those on the app.
3. 12-Point System https://idaoffice.org/posts/chinese-traffi%25d1%2581-rules/

On the test day:

Go to second floor through left escalator, turn left and find sign 境外考试

Hand in your document and wait for desk assignment.

You will have 45 mins to complete 100 questions. I completed all in 35 mins and spend the rest to review 30 first questions, which I found it actually helpful to do so. Some websites say to expect some strange English translation; I personally found all, but one question, are well understandable.

I always failed in mock tests, having false more than 9/10 times. However, I learned from those mistake and passed the real test at once at 97/100.

I paid 10 RMB for the driver’s license, got it printed and take it back home right after the test.