Instructions for replacing overseas motor vehicle driver's license

Replacement requirements:

To apply for a motor vehicle driver's license, residents of the city, Chinese mainland residents of other places in the Chinese mainland residing in the city and overseas personnel with residence or place of stay registered in the city who hold motor vehicle driver's licenses issued by foreign countries or China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan shall meet the following requirements and shall not be involved in circumstances which disqualify them for applying for a driver's license.

I. Application requirements

1. Age

(1) If an applicant applies for a driver's license of the permitted type of a small vehicle, small vehicle with automatic transmission, small special vehicle with automatic transmission for disabled persons or light motorcycle, the applicant's age shall be more than 18 but less than 70;

(2) If an applicant applies for a driver's license of the permitted type of a low-speed freight vehicle, three-wheel vehicle, common three-wheel motorcycle, common two-wheel motorcycle or wheeled self-move mechanical vehicle, the applicant's age shall be more than 18 but less than 60;

(3) If an applicant applies for a driver's license of the permitted type of a city bus, mid-size bus, large freight vehicle, trolley bus or tramcar, the applicant's age shall be more than 20 but less than 50;

(4) If an applicant applies for a driver's license of the permitted type of a mid-size bus, the applicant's age shall be more than 21 but less than 50;

(5) If an applicant applies for a driver's license of the permitted type of a tractor, the applicant's age shall be more than 24 but less than 50;

(6) If an applicant applies for a driver's license of the permitted type of a large bus, the applicant's age shall be more than 26 but less than 50.

2. Physical condition

(1) Stature: The stature of anyone who applies for a driver's license of the permitted type of a large bus, tractor, large freight vehicle, city bus or trolley bus shall be 155 centimeters or above. The stature of anyone who applies for a driver's license of the permitted type of a mid-size bus shall be 150 centimeters or above;

(2) Eyesight: For anyone who applies for a driver's license of the permitted type of a large bus, tractor, mid-size bus, large freight vehicle, city bus, trolley bus or tramcar, his or her naked vision or corrected vision of both eyes shall be 5.0 or above in the logarithmic visual acuity chart; for anyone who applies for a driver's license of the permitted type of any other vehicle, the naked vision or corrected vision of both eyes shall be 4.9 or above in the logarithmic visual acuity chart; for anyone who has vision impairment in one eye and a naked vision or corrected vision of 5.0 or above in the logarithmic visual acuity chart and a horizontal view of 150 degrees for the other eye, he or she may apply for a driver’s license of the permitted type of a small vehicle, small vehicle with automatic transmission, low-speed freight vehicle, three-wheel vehicle or small special vehicle with automatic transmission for disabled persons;

(3) Color vision: No daltonism;

(4) Audition: The applicant is able to identify the direction of sound source when both of his ears are separately 50 centimeters away from the tuning fork; for anyone who has hearing impairment but can meet the above conditions by wearing a hearing aid device, he or she may apply for a driver's license of the permitted type of a small vehicle or small vehicle with automatic transmission;

(5) Upper limbs: The thumbs of his or her hands are healthy and either of his or her hands must have three other healthy fingers, as well as the motor function of his or her limbs and fingers are normal. But whoever has an incomplete fingertip or three healthy fingers in the left hand as well as two complete palms may apply for a driver's license for the permitted type of a small vehicle, small vehicle with automatic transmission, low-speed freight vehicle or three-wheel vehicle;

(6) Lower limbs: His or her both lower limbs are healthy and their motor functions are normal, and the difference of his or her lower limbs shall not be more than 5 centimeters in length. But whoever lacks left lower limb or whose left lower limb loses motor function may apply for a driver's license of the permitted type of a small vehicle with automatic transmission.

(7) Trunk and neck: No movement disorder;

(8) Whoever lacks right lower limb or both lower limbs or the motor function thereof is lost but is able to independently sit and stand may apply for a driver's license of the permitted type of a small vehicle with automatic transmission for disabled persons; anyone with one palm lost but with a healthy thumb and two healthy fingers on the other hand, normal motor functions of upper limbs and fingers as well as lower limbs that meet qualifications specified above may apply for a driver's license of the permitted type of a small vehicle with automatic transmission for disabled persons.

3. Anyone falling under any of the following circumstances may not apply for a motor vehicle driver's license:

(1) He or she has organic heart disease, epilepsy, Meniere's syndrome, vertigo, hysteria, parkinsonism, mental disease, dementia, or nervous system disease that affects the movement of limbs, or any other disease that impedes safe driving;

(2) He or she takes or is injected with drugs within three years, or it has not been three years since the measures of isolated compulsory drug rehabilitation are removed, or he or she takes dependent psychotropic drugs for a long time and becomes addicted, and has not given them up;

(3) He or she escapes after causing a traffic accident and therefor a crime is constituted;

(4) A major traffic accident occurs because he or she drives a motor vehicle after drinking alcohol or when intoxicated, and therefor a crime is constituted;

(5) It has not been five years since he or she drove a motor vehicle when intoxicated or drove an operating motor vehicle after drinking alcohol and thus his or her motor vehicle driver's license was suspended according to law;

(6) It has not been 10 years since he or she drove an operating motor vehicle when intoxicated and thus his or her motor vehicle driver's license was suspended according to law;

(7) It has not been two years since his or her motor vehicle driver's license is suspended due to other circumstances;

(8) It has not been three years since his or her driver's license was revoked;

(9) Any other circumstance prescribed by laws and regulations.

4. Anyone who falls under any of the following circumstances may not apply for the permitted type of a large bus, tractor, mid-size bus or large freight vehicle:

(1) He or she is equally or more liable for a traffic accident causing death;

(2) He or she drives a motor vehicle when intoxicated;

(3) It has not been 10 years since his or her motor vehicle driver's license was suspended or revoked.

II. Driver's licenses of permitted types of vehicle

An applicant can apply for a motor vehicle driver's license corresponding with his or her overseas motor vehicle driver's license. However, if the applicant's age, stature or other conditions do not meet requirements for applying for a corresponding driver's license or the applicant is willing to lower the class of permitted type of vehicle, the applicant can apply for a driver’s license of the lower class of permitted type of vehicle.

III. Examination

1. Anyone who holds an overseas motor vehicle driver's license shall, when applying for a driver's license, take the examination on Subject 1. If he or she applies for a driver's license of the permitted type of a large bus, tractor, mid-size bus or large freight vehicle, he or she shall take the examination on Subject 3 in addition. A Chinese mainland resident who holds an overseas driver's license shall take the examination on Subject 1, 2 and 3 if his or her stay in the license issuing country or region is less than three months prior to the issuance of the license.

2. Anyone holding a driver's license issued by Belgium or a national of the United Arab Emirates holding a driver's license issued by the UAE, when applying for a driver's license of the permitted type of a small vehicle and small vehicle with automatic transmission, he or she shall be exempt from the examination and issued a driver's license upon application.

3. A person from a foreign embassy or consulate stationed in China or a person from an international organization's representative office in China, when applying for a motor vehicle driver's license, shall be issued a driver's license under the diplomatic reciprocal principle.

4. The applicant shall finish all subject exams within three years since the vehicle management station accepted the application.

5. The applicant can refer to the exam regulations on applying for a driver's license for the first time or adding a driver's license of the permitted type of vehicle concerning exam contents, mileage, qualification criteria and exam time.

Required materials

1. Original identity certificate (please refer to the appendix: Supplementary Statement on Applicant's Identity Certificate);

2. Original and duplicate overseas motor vehicle driver's license; in case the driver's license is not in the Chinese language, a Chinese language edition shall be provided; if the type of vehicle the license owner is allowed to drive or restrictions of the driver’s license are not clearly stated, an instructional text provided by the issuing country shall be submitted.

3. In case the applicant is a Chinese mainland resident, the applicant shall provide the passport; the Exit-Entry Permit for Traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macao; or the Mainland Residents Traveling to China's Taiwan region Permit and the Taiwan Entry Permit he or she used when issued the overseas motor vehicle driver's license.

Notes:

1. Please conduct the driver's physical examination at a networked hospital above district level in Shenzhen; the physical examination result will be valid for six months;

2. Please get the Digital Photo Collection Receipt for Motor Vehicle Driver's License of Guangdong Province from a qualified photo studio or a self-service terminal and three photos;

3. Please have the overseas driver's license which is not in the Chinese language translated (both the front and reverse sides) by a qualified translation company and provide the company’s qualification certificate.

4. The foregoing cannot be handled through an agent.

5. Overseas motor vehicle driver’s license refers to the driver’s license which is issued by a foreign country or China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and China's Taiwan region and certifies that the license owner is qualified for driving independently.

Online reservation

The driver shall provide information online by logging in to "Shenzhen Online Traffic Police": Online vehicle management station — driver's license business — application for replacement of overseas motor vehicle driver's license.

Application procedure

1. The applicant shall first reserve business online.

2. The applicant, with application materials, shall get a service number at the East Wing of the Comprehensive Service Hall of Shenzhen Municipal Vehicle Management Station and wait to submit the application.

3. The applicant shall scan a QR code to pay the nominal fee with the Motor Vehicle Driver's License Business Voucher of the Vehicle Management Station of Shenzhen Municipal Traffic Police Detachment.

4. The applicant who is required to take the examination on Subject 1 can reserve the exam at the "quick reservation" office. The applicant who is required to take two or more exams shall provide fingerprint and photos at the designated window and reserve the exams on the second day by registering an account on Shenzhen Online Traffic Police and reserving the exams.

5. The applicant shall print the exam results after passing the exams. Applicants who apply for a driver’s license for driving a B1 or above type of vehicle or who are Chinese mainland residents but hold an overseas driver’s license shall submit the exam results of Subject 1, 2 and 3 to the Special Business Window in the East Wing of the Comprehensive Service Hall of Shenzhen Municipal Vehicle Management Station.

6. Collection of the driver's license: The applicant or agent shall collect the driver's license at the certificate issuing window of the station which accepted the application.

Materials required for collecting the driver's license: Application acceptance receipt, original identity certificate of the applicant (or original identity certificate of the agent if applicable).

Processing time

The processing time is one working day upon the acceptance of the application.

Types of fees

1. The nominal fee of motor vehicle driver's license: 10 yuan/license. A Hong Kong resident who replaces a Hong Kong driver's license with a Chinese mainland driver's license without exams shall pay fees according to the adjusted rates of examination fees for motor vehicle driver’s license: 480/person for cars or 225/person for motorcycles. A Hong Kong resident who has replaced a Hong Kong driver's license with a Chinese mainland driver's license without exams can add a Chinese mainland driver's license of the permitted type of vehicle by paying 240 yuan/person for cars or 112.5/person for motorcycles.

2. The examination fees do not cover the nominal fee of driver's license.

3. The applicant who fails in the first exam will be given a chance on the site to retake the exam for free. If the applicant fails again, he or she will have to reserve the subject exam again at 50 percent of the original exam fee. The applicant who intends to add a driver’s license of the permitted type of vehicle shall make the payment according to corresponding examination fees.

4. The motor vehicle driver (including Hong Kong residents who have replaced Hong Kong driver's licenses with Chinese mainland driver's licenses without exams) who has gotten 12 points for law violations shall take specified subject exams at 80 percent of the original examination fees for corresponding subjects.

Handling agency

Vehicle Management Station of Traffic Police Detachment of Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau

Add: Comprehensive Service Building of Vehicle Management Station of Traffic Police Detachment of Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau, 128 Longjing Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen

Working hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Friday (except Saturdays, Sundays and national statutory holidays)

Approval authority

Vehicle Management Station of Traffic Police Detachment of Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau

Contact information

Hotline: (86-755) 83333333

WeChat: szcgs2012

Weibo and QQ: 8002222666

Appendix:

Supplementary statement on applicant's identity certificate

1. The identity certificate for Chinese inland residents shall be the Resident's ID Card or Temporary Resident's ID Card. The identity certificates submitted by Chinese mainland residents who reside outside their household registration places in accordance with Article 19, Article 21, Article 22 and Article 83 shall be the Resident's ID Card or Temporary Resident's ID Card and the residence certificate issued by the public security organ;

2. The identity certificate for serving army men (including armed police) shall be the Resident's ID Card or Temporary Resident's ID Card. Prior to obtaining the Resident's ID Card, the identity certificate shall be a valid identity certificate of army man, such as the Certificate of Military Officer, Certificate of Civilian Cadre, Certificate of Soldier, Certificate of Retiree Emeritus, and Certificate of Retiree issued by relevant military departments, as well as the applicant's residence certificate issued by the working unit of or above the regiment level;

3. The identity certificate for Hong Kong SAR residents who replace a driver's license without exams shall be the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents and Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card. The identity certificate for Hong Kong SAR residents who replace an overseas driver's license shall be the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents held upon entering the Chinese mainland or the Travel Document of the People's Republic of China issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and the accommodation registration certificate issued by the public security organ;

4. The identity certificate for Macao SAR residents shall use the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents or the Travel Document of the People's Republic of China issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Macao Permanent Identity Card and the accommodation registration certificate issued by the public security organ;

5. The identity certificate for residents of China's Taiwan region shall be the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents with a five-year validity period issued by the public security organ or the Travel Document of the People's Republic of China issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the accommodation registration certificate issued by the public security organ;

6. The identity certificate for overseas Chinese shall be the passport of the People's Republic of China and the accommodation registration certificate issued by the public security organ;

7. The identity certificate for foreigners shall be the passport or other travel documents held upon entering China, or a valid visa with a period of residing or staying of more than three months, or a certificate of residing or staying, and the accommodation registration certificate issued by the public security organ;

8. The identity certificate for personnel of foreign embassies or consulates in China or personnel of international organizations’ representative offices in China shall be a valid identity certificate issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(Note: The text above is a translation of the Chinese version for reference only. In case of any discrepancy among the different versions, the original published Chinese version shall prevail.)