Country requirements · China
Do you need an International Driving Permit to drive in China?
Short answer
An International Driving Permit is recommended for China and required if your national licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet. China does not recognise the IDP; foreign visitors must obtain a temporary Chinese licence to drive, so an IDP alone is not valid here. China follows the Local rules standard, so your permit must be issued in that format. At rental desks operated by Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Avis and Sixt, a valid IDP is a standard counter requirement for foreign licences; arriving without one can mean a refused booking or a lost deposit. China drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 18+, with a young-driver surcharge usually applied under 25. Carry your IDP together with your original national licence and passport at all times — the permit is a certified translation and never replaces your licence.
Sourced from the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna Conventions and rental-network policies
China at a glance
IDP requiredRecommended
Accepted formatLocal rules
Minimum age to rent18+ (surcharge under 25)
Drive on theRight-hand side
Carry alongsideYour national licence + passport
CurrencyCNY
Top speed limit120 km/h expressways
Emergency number110 (police), 120 (ambulance)
Driving in China
What the rules require
When do you need an IDP in China?
China does not recognise the IDP; foreign visitors must obtain a temporary Chinese licence to drive, so an IDP alone is not valid here. The permit is a recognised translation of your licence and is presented together with the original.
Does renting a car in China require an IDP?
Rental desks require a Chinese provisional/temporary licence, not an IDP. Having your permit ready avoids losing your reservation at the counter.
Driving rules in China you should know
- Drive on the right.
- IDPs are not recognised — get a temporary Chinese licence.
- Zero-tolerance alcohol enforcement.
- Extensive speed and ANPR camera network.
How long is an IDP valid in China?
China honours both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention formats. A 1949-format IDP is valid for up to 1 year; a 1968-format IDP can be valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires. If you travel regularly, the validity clock starts on the issue date, not on first use — so order close to your departure to maximise usable time.
Documents checklist for driving in China
- Your original national driving licence — the IDP is a translation and is never valid on its own.
- Your International Driving Permit, in the Local rules format China recognises.
- Your passport or accepted national ID for police checks and rental pick-up.
- For rentals: the credit card used for the booking and your rental agreement (it covers the registration and insurance papers).
- Local currency or a card for road costs — China uses the CNY.
China · common questions
01
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in China?
Visitors can usually drive in China on a valid foreign licence, but an IDP is required if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet and is recommended for car rental. China does not recognise the IDP; foreign visitors must obtain a temporary Chinese licence to drive, so an IDP alone is not valid here.
02
Which IDP format does China accept, and how long is it valid?
China honours both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention formats. A 1949-format IDP is valid for up to 1 year; a 1968-format IDP can be valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires. Your document is prepared in exactly that convention booklet format.
03
Do I need an IDP to rent a car in China?
Rental desks require a Chinese provisional/temporary licence, not an IDP. The minimum rental age in China is typically 18+, and most agencies apply a young-driver surcharge under 25. Bring your IDP, your original national licence, your passport and the credit card used for the booking.
04
Which side of the road does China drive on?
China drives on the right-hand side of the road. Drive on the right.
05
What is the drink-driving limit in China?
Zero-tolerance alcohol enforcement. Penalties for exceeding the limit as a foreign driver can include on-the-spot fines, vehicle impoundment and invalidated rental insurance — if in doubt, don't drive after drinking.
06
What is the speed limit in China?
The maximum for cars on the fastest road class in China is 120 km/h expressways. Limits drop in built-up areas and on secondary roads, and posted signs always take precedence — speed enforcement against foreign drivers commonly arrives as a fine charged through your rental company.
07
What is the emergency number in China?
Dial 110 (police), 120 (ambulance) in China. From any GSM mobile phone, 112 also connects to local emergency services in most countries even without a local SIM. After an accident, stay at the scene, secure it (use your warning triangle where required) and notify your rental company before any repairs.
08
What documents should I carry while driving in China?
Carry your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit, your passport (or national ID where accepted), and the vehicle's registration and insurance papers (your rental agreement covers these for hire cars). The IDP is a translation of your licence and is never valid on its own.
09
Is an IDP the same as a driver's licence in China?
No. An IDP is an official multilingual translation of your existing licence in the United Nations convention format — it does not grant driving privileges by itself and must always be presented together with your valid national licence. Note that some countries issue official government IDPs only through authorized bodies (in the US, AAA and AATA).
10
How long does it take to get an IDP for China?
With International Driver Licence you receive your digital IDP by email in as fast as 8 minutes — a printable 16-page convention-format PDF booklet plus a QR-verifiable wallet card you can keep on your phone. That makes it practical even if you're already at the airport or the rental counter.
Driving from China to neighbouring countries
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