In Beijing there are 2 ways to get a driver's license. Here is my best attempt to describe them both.
The hard way:
1. Make a trip to the Automobile Administrative Office, Foreign Affairs Branch, 18 Nansihuan Donglu, Chaoyang District. Phone: 8762.5150. Get a copy of the application to take the driver's license test and a list of the approved clinics where you can take the health exam.
2. Go to FESCO to get the translated version of the study manual. I think they have it in at least 8 different languages, including English. Start studying the 800+ questions in the manual. Don't use this as an opportunity to learn how to drive in China because no one follows these rules anyway. Just memorize the correct answers. (Chinese students have been doing this all their lives so they don't need these kinds of tips but I wish someone had told me from the outset!) You'll have to get 90% of the questions right in order to pass the exam.
3. Fill in the application form.
4. Go get your health exam. (It's very easy. They just check your heart and your eyes, if I remember correctly.)
5. Return to the AAO with the following:
- A completed application.
- Your passport, Foreigner Residence Permit and Z-visa
- Copy of your completed health exam.
- Your home country's driver's license and a translated version.
- 2 passport color photos
5. The AAO will give you an appointment to come back to take the exam.
6. Return to the AAO on the day of your exam. Don't be late because they won't let you in and you'll have to get another appointment and come back AGAIN! (Don't ask me how I know this....)
7. In the exam room, take the exam on your own computer monitor. You can choose your language, again I think they have it 8 languages or so. Everything is multiple choice and the questions are exactly like the ones in the study manual. You can go back to check questions you've already answered, and you can skip questions and come back to them. The program is super-easy to use. When you're done you click "submit" and within seconds you'll see either an ecstatic smiley face or an emoticon that's pouring tears. That tells you if you've passed the exam or not. The emoticons are, in my opinion, larger than they really need to be.
8. Go to the front of the exam room, where you're greeted by the test administrator, who already knows if you got the ecstatic smiley face or the pouring tears. (Note: Those who passed the exam are instructed to read a little piece of paper that's posted next to the door as you leave the room. If you got the pouring tears but want to save face in front of your classmates, you can pause in front of that piece of paper, then nod thoughtfully before you leave.)
9. If you got the ecstatic smiley face, go back to the main lobby and make an appointment to pick up your license. If you got the ecstatic smiley face and this was your first attempt, go buy a lottery ticket.
10. If you got the pouring tears, go back to the main lobby and make an appointment to take the exam again. You're back to step 6.
The easy way:
1. Go to FESCO (14 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyang District, phone 8561 6663) with the following:
- 800 RMB (a steal!)
- Your passport, Foreigner Residence Permit and Z-visa
- your home country's driver's license
- 5 passport color photos
2. Take the test right there at FESCO. BTW everyone I know who did it the hard way failed the first time, and everyone I know who did it the easy way passed the first time.
So why would anyone do this the hard way? Mostly because they didn't know there was an easy way. There are also some people out there who don't find everyday life in China challenging enough and they want to get their license the old-fashioned way.
Whichever route you choose, good luck! See you on the freeways.
Update: Sin-Yaw passed the exam the hard way, the first time. Clearly he cheated.
Update, Jan. 7, 2010: Alert reader C recently went through this process and he has some updates. Apparently you do not need a Z visa to take the driver's license test, you just need one that grants a stay of 91 days or more. And sadly, it seems the FESCO "easy" way is less easier today than it was back in 2005 when I originally wrote this post. All they do nowadays is translate your foreign driver's license for you and help you fill in the application. You still have to go to the testing center yourself to take the exam.
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Posted by Xavier on June 29, 2007 at 09:32 PM CST #
I just what to live like every one else and pay my child support and have an equitable in come but no dr. lic is really killing me help me please
tom s.
Posted by Thomas A. Sonsalla on September 18, 2007 at 11:48 PM CST #
Hello, i am a canadian citizen and want to take my 650cc moterbike across the ferry from korea to china and then drive through china to vietnam. Do you think this will be any trouble if i don't have a chinese drivers license? What should i do?
Posted by Michael Knutson on December 26, 2007 at 10:44 PM CST #
Hi, i just passed the test the first time...93%. if you get the book, just read it and memorize it...most of the answers are basic commonsense with Chinese characteristics :)
Posted by ykpek on January 18, 2008 at 10:06 AM CST #
Can anybody tell me if it is possible to apply for the above without a Z visa? I am currently holding a F visa and want to apply for a Chinese driving Lincense.
thank you.
Posted by Shasha on January 28, 2008 at 05:54 PM CST #
This is my third holiday in china traveling on an F visa, can I apply for a license and where can I purchase an english translation of the questions and answers
Thanks
Posted by Tarps on January 29, 2008 at 08:14 PM CST #
Yes you can apply for a drivers license on an F'visa.
FESCO have books in English for Rmb150
Posted by ykpek on January 30, 2008 at 11:16 AM CST #
Are there any study materials for the drivers license tests avavilable in English? How does one purchase them? I presume the "easy way" test is the same written exam as the hard way.
Posted by Paul Westhaus on February 07, 2008 at 01:58 AM CST #
You can obtain the test book in English and other languages I believe from FESCO the cost was Rmb150 when I purchased.
It's 500 questions with answers...the actual test is 100 questions.
Posted by ykpek on February 07, 2008 at 10:36 AM CST #
I am moving to Shenzhen China. I have both the california drivers license and the international drivers issued by AAA. What must I do once I get to Shenzhen? Is where can I get a copy of the rules to study?
Thank you.
George.
Posted by George turner on March 13, 2008 at 08:30 AM CST #
I just passed the test the hard way. I failed the first time, because i didn't know about the english questions from FESCO. Anyway I am in Shenzhen and here are currently more than 1300 questions in the test. The second time I passed with 96%. I had the great DLQ-Swotter program from http://www.ubicomputing.de , which includes all the questions and brings realistic test conditions to your home.
Posted by Xantilon on May 21, 2008 at 11:25 AM CST #
Great info..I'd like to know if you can get the book or questions online without having to pay for it like the advertising his own product "xantilon"
anyhelp would be great..I live in the booneys, sw china and have to travel 4 hours to find this book...please help if there's anyone out there!
Posted by jay p on July 31, 2008 at 11:15 PM CST #
hi, im trying to get a license and the simple way seems pretty nice. but im just wondering, the article was written in 06, has anybody used the easy way this year? does it work?
Posted by alexander on September 28, 2009 at 11:21 AM CST #
Alexander, I'm not sure if the easy works nowadays. You're right, my experience in 2006 is outdated. If you are able to use the easy way please come back to my blog and let us know.
Posted by Melanie Gao on September 28, 2009 at 11:31 AM CST #
Hi- Saw your blog entry in my research for obtaining a license and thought I'd update it...
The FESCO option is really only helpful for completing the application form and translating a foreign license. If you don't speak much Chinese, this is probably beneficial, but you still have to physically go to the test center to schedule and take the exam. I called them today to confirm it is not possible to take the exam at the FESCO office. My wife is Chinese (how convenient!) so she helped me find an official place to translate my license and helped fill out the application form. I'm going to the test center tomorrow to schedule the exam myself. I'll try to post again after I've obtained a license...that is, if I pass the test!
Posted by c on January 07, 2010 at 05:27 PM CST #
One other thing: I was told that a Z visa is not mandatory. A visa which grants a stay of more than 91 days is supposed to be acceptable.
Posted by c on January 07, 2010 at 05:37 PM CST #
I can confirm, that a Z visa is not necessary. I never had one.
Posted by Xantilon on January 07, 2010 at 05:42 PM CST #
Thanks C and Xantilon for the updates!
Posted by Melanie Gao on January 07, 2010 at 05:59 PM CST #
oo thanx for information i have a student visa and now rules are totally changed
Posted by sunny on February 10, 2010 at 01:38 AM CST #