Foreign Temporary Driving License

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Key Policy Points

1. Must be hosted by a licensed travel agency

Foreigners traveling to China with their own vehicles must be received by a travel agency licensed in China for travel business operations. The agency must prepare: copies of travel agency business permit, business license, information on the tour group members and vehicles, itinerary plan, and safety commitment letter to handle entry and exit procedures for people and vehicles.

Individuals cannot handle vehicle entry procedures on their own — this is a mandatory requirement in the official regulations.

2. Route pre-approval (60 days before entry)

The travel agency must submit the reception plan to the exit-entry administration department of the provincial public security bureau where the agency is located, 60 days before the tour group enters China. The department will review whether the travel route passes through areas restricted for foreigners.

- Route does not pass through restricted areas: no additional approval required, result notified within 3 working days - Route passes through restricted areas (such as military zones, certain border areas): formal approval procedures are required by law - The exit-entry administration department will make a decision within 15 working days of receiving the application

3. Vehicle and driver document requirements

The traffic management department of the public security bureau will review the following materials before issuing temporary entry vehicle license plates, vehicle license, and temporary motor vehicle driving permit:

• Foreign vehicle registration certificate (Chinese translation required if not in Chinese)
• Customs temporary vehicle entry permit
• Travel agency reception plan
• Vehicle safety technical inspection certificate
• China compulsory traffic accident liability insurance for motor vehicles
• Driver's entry/exit identity document
• Foreign motor vehicle driving license (Chinese translation required if not in Chinese)
• Driver's photograph

4. Full-time escort and safety management

The travel agency must:

• Assign a full-time guide from the agency with appropriate language skills to accompany the tour throughout the trip
• Ensure foreign participants do not leave the group and travel independently by car
• Educate tourists to abide by Chinese laws and respect local ethnic customs
• Report any important incidents during travel to the local public security bureau and the provincial tourism authority where the agency is located in a timely manner

5. Customs guarantee and deposit

Customs will continue to perform supervision of entry and exit for foreign self-drive tour vehicles. For foreign self-drive tour groups organized by legitimate travel agencies in the official directory, customs will collect a deposit or other legally recognized guarantee, and then handle the temporary entry and exit procedures for the vehicle.

6. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan vehicles reference

Self-drive tour groups from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan traveling to mainland China are subject to the same regulations. If bilateral or multilateral transport agreements are in place, those agreements will apply.