Renting a Car and Driving in China
A foreign driving licence or an International Driving Permit is not, by itself, permission to drive in Mainland China. Short-term foreign visitors generally need a Chinese temporary motor vehicle driving permit appropriate to the vehicle, plus the underlying valid foreign licence and required supporting documents.
A foreign driving licence or an International Driving Permit is not, by itself, permission to drive in Mainland China. Short-term foreign visitors generally need a Chinese temporary motor vehicle driving permit appropriate to the vehicle, plus the underlying valid foreign licence and required supporting documents.
Local implementation and service locations vary. The Shanghai and Chongqing government guides reviewed for this article illustrate the general route, but travelers must confirm the procedure in the place where they will apply and rent.
What a temporary permit does
The permit is issued by the traffic-management department of the public security authority. It can allow a short-term visitor to drive a temporarily imported or rented vehicle within the categories stated on the permit. For rented vehicles, the Shanghai guidance limits the relevant temporary categories to small vehicles or small automatic-transmission vehicles.
Permit validity depends on the approved stay and local processing. Do not assume that a permit issued for one trip, vehicle class, or period remains valid for a later rental.
Documents commonly requested
Requirements may include:
- passport and evidence of lawful entry or stay;
- original valid foreign driving licence;
- Chinese translation produced or recognized under local rules;
- application form and photograph;
- a local address and contact number;
- traffic-safety education or another local procedure;
- additional documents requested by the vehicle-management office.
Applicants must meet age and legal-eligibility conditions. Some cases may require additional testing or may be refused because of unresolved traffic matters.
Apply before committing to a non-refundable rental
- Identify the vehicle-management office or airport counter serving foreign visitors.
- Check opening days, appointment rules, accepted translation providers, and document list.
- Ask the rental company which permit and vehicle category it requires.
- Allow time for identity verification; the State Council guide notes that first-time foreign renters may need advance verification.
- Obtain the permit before driving away.
A marketing claim that a permit takes “under an hour” is not a nationwide service guarantee. Queues, document issues, translation, office schedules, and local systems can change the actual time.
Carry the right documents while driving
Shanghai's guidance says the temporary permit should be carried together with the foreign licence and its Chinese translation. Carry the rental contract as well. Confirm whether the rental company supplies vehicle registration, insurance evidence, emergency contacts, and accident instructions.
Road and insurance risks
Before accepting the vehicle, understand:
- insurance coverage, deductibles, exclusions, and authorized drivers;
- toll and parking payment;
- traffic-camera fines and how they are charged after return;
- restrictions on taking the car to another province or remote area;
- what to do after a collision or breakdown;
- whether an electric vehicle's charging accounts and cables are usable for your route.
Do not drive after drinking. Avoid relying on unfamiliar app navigation while moving, and plan extra time for dense urban traffic and restricted parking.
Is renting the right choice?
High-speed rail and domestic flights usually remove licensing and parking complexity. A car may be valuable for rural areas, family luggage, or a route poorly served by public transport. Compare door-to-door time, permit administration, insurance, one-way fees, parking, and the ability of every driver to obtain the required permit.
This guide is not a licence determination or legal advice. The issuing traffic authority and rental company must confirm your case.
Official sources
- Shanghai government guide to temporary driving permits, updated January 2026: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Transportation/20241212/bd0bcbb71e234bf1807d808490a5fa4a.html
- Chongqing government visitor-driving guide: https://english.cq.gov.cn/latestnews/videos/202606/t20260608_15736091.html
- State Council guide to car leasing for foreign travelers: https://english.www.gov.cn/2025special/bizexpatsinchina2025
Last reviewed: 17 July 2026.