[Khema]

Is that true that you'll have to get Chinese driving licence before you are allowed to drive a vehicle in mainland China?

what if I get a HK licence, will this count as 'chinese driving licence' for driving in mainland?

and how do you get a HK driving licence? I have one from the UK (photocard licence), can I use this to get a HK one issued?

thanks!

[golfduke]

Is that true that you'll have to get Chinese driving licence before you are allowed to drive a vehicle in mainland China?

Yes, it is true.

what if I get a HK licence, will this count as 'chinese driving licence' for driving in mainland?

No, the two are completely separate with exception of foreign investors from HK.

and how do you get a HK driving licence? I have one from the UK (photocard licence), can I use this to get a HK one issued?

Just go to the department of motor vehicles (the address skips my memory) and apply for one. You dont need to take any more tests, just pay the fees and get your license.

[discobay]

Check out the Transport Department

[Khema]

OK if HK licence does not count as chinese one than how does one get a mainland China driving licence - other than taking full tests?

can a UK licence (or a Russian one ) be used to have a China licenced issued without a test? thanks

[dropdedfwed]

Originally Posted by Khema

OK if HK licence does not count as chinese one than how does one get a mainland China driving licence - other than taking full tests?

can a UK licence (or a Russian one ) be used to have a China licenced issued without a test? thanks

you should be able to get an international drivng permit (IDP) from your "home" country that allows you to drive in most other countries. the transport dep't web page has details of the countries that are eligible. i'm not 100% sure if u can have the permit issued whilst abroad, best to get it from the country that issued your licence...

these are valid for 12months, however if u intend staying in HK for >12months, u are supposed to get a HK licence (once again, the transport dept site has details - most places it is a direct transfer with fees, no test, but check the list to see if your country is covered...)

[Khema]

to previous poster:

i already have two internationally valid driving licences from two different countries (use them wherever) BUT the point here is that one requires to have a Chinese issued driving licence to drive legally in China.

hence my question how to get a Chinese driving licence with minimum pain using other international driving licence.

from what i heard 'most countries' to which you referred to do not include China.

[dropdedfwed]

Originally Posted by Khema

to previous poster:

i already have two internationally valid driving licences from two different countries (use them wherever) BUT the point here is that one requires to have a Chinese issued driving licence to drive legally in China.

hence my question how to get a Chinese driving licence with minimum pain using other international driving licence.

from what i heard 'most countries' to which you referred to do not include China.

cool, no probs. my telepathy doesn't seem to be working well today - i should have known u already had 2 international licences, Doh.

[Lammarite]

Why do you want to drive in china? It is easier to take taxis in towns and buses/trains to remote areas. You're looking at a whole can of trouble I reckon.
And i suspect that getting a license there would involve a certain amount of palm greasing as you will probably have no concept of how to 'drive' there.

[kostas]

Khema.. Have you ever seen how people are driving there? Or how do people in general behave on the road? I wouldn't dare to touch a steering wheel in that place :P

[Khema]

i like long-distance drives in remote locations of the world
noway I am going to drive in big cities of China (no fun).

i have driven my bit in many countries but china being a forbidden fruit is waaay too tempting for giving up before I start! HK is too small too crowded to enjoy a drive here that started me thinking of the nearby mainland.

OK i'll take a look in my next holiday in Oct on their driving habits.