Q1：What is a Provisional Driving Permit?

A provisional driving permit refers to the short-term motor vehicle driving permit that allows foreigners who come to China for a short stay to drive motor vehicles within Chinese border. This provisional driving permit shall be issued by the traffic police department of the public security organ.

Q2：How long is the validity period of a provisional driving permit?

Under the condition of duration of stay

Those who stay for less than 3 months（including 3 months）are accessible to the application of a  provisional driving permit with three months validity. 

For those staying for more than 3 months, the validity period of a provisional driving permit can be extended up to one year.

Q3：How to apply for a provisional driving permit?

Entry and exit identity documents, such as passport, residence permit for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents, mainland travel permit for Hong Kong and Macao residents, mainland travel permit for Taiwan residents, the People's Republic of China travel permit, and etc.

Foreign driving license. If your foreign driving license is not in Chinese, you need to translate it into Chinese. You can apply for translation service through translation agencies directly by email; or you can approach to DMV staff for help on applying for translation.

Please provide two recent 1-inch, color, bareheaded photographs with a white background. Alternatively, photos can be taken directly at the service window.

If you are participating in organized competitions or other social activities, you must present a certificate issued by the relevant Chinese authorities.

Upon submitting all required materials, paying the certificate fee of 10 yuan, and completing the education session on China's road traffic laws and regulations, you will receive the permit on-site.

Q4：Where to access the services?

★ Municipal Vehicle Management Office

Business hours: Monday to Sunday, 08:30–17:00 (Closed on public holidays)

Location: Intersection of Zhenli Road and Jingjiang Road, Hedong district, Tianjin

★ Binhai Branch of the Municipal Vehicle Management Office

Business hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30–16:30 (Closed on public holidays)

Location: No 56, Fourth Avenue, Tanggu Development Zone, Binhai New Area, Tianjin

★ Free Trade Zone Service Station

Business hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30–16:30 (Closed on public holidays)

Location: No 69, Haibin 8th Road, Binhai New Area Comprehensive Bonded Zone, Tianjin5

Q5：The circumstances under which an applicant cannot apply for a provisional driving permit.

Age conditions

The applicant fails to meet the required age conditions for Chinese driving permit application. For those who temporarily need to rent Chinese motor vehicles and drive within Chinese border, the provisional driving permit Type 3 is only for small-size vehicles and small-size vehicles with auto transmission. Those who apply for small-size vehicles and small-size vehicles with auto transmission must be at least 18 years old.

Physical conditions

Applicants whose physical condition does not meet the requirements for obtaining a Chinese driving permit.

Hit and run

Applicants who have record of committing hit and run offense within the territory of China are not accessible to the temporary driving permit.

Drivers accumulating 12 points but fail to take an exam

A driver who has accumulated 12 points within a single scoring period is required to undertake a retraining session and take an exam on road traffic safety laws, regulations and other related knowledge. Otherwise, he or she cannot re-apply for a provisional driving permit.

Traffic violation and accidents unresolved

Applicants who have committed road traffic offenses and had unresolved traffic accidents are not accessible to the application.

Invalid certification and proofs

Applicants who provide invalid & incomplete & unmatched certification and proofs, or those who have not participated in road traffic safety laws and regulations learning are not accessible to the driving permit.

Q6：What else should be noted when applying for a provisional driving permit?

A foreign motor vehicle driving license refers to an official driving license issued by a foreign country or China’s Hong Kong and Macau special administrative regions and the Taiwan region, granting independent driving qualifications. It does not include learner's permits, provisional licenses, or probationary licenses.

Applicants aged 70 (inclusive) and above must take a capacity test in Theory Test Room (the validity period of the capacity test is one year from the first day you take the exam; applicants can take the test for free 5 times). 

For countries that have signed mutual recognition agreements for motor vehicle driving licenses with China, the provisions of the agreement shall apply.

The provisional driving permit should be carried while driving and be used together with entry-exit documents, the foreign driving license and its Chinese translation.