Replacement requirements:

To apply for a driver’s license, residents of Shenzhen, residents of other Chinese mainland cities residing in Shenzhen and overseas personnel with a residence or place of stay registered in Shenzhen who hold overseas driver’s licenses shall meet the following requirements and shall not be involved in circumstances which disqualify them for applying for a Chinese mainland driver’s license.

I. Application requirements

1. Age

(1) An applicant shall be 18 years of age or older but be younger than 70 to apply 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;

(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 shall be 18 years of age or older but be younger than 60;

(3) If an applicant applies for a driver’s license of the permitted type of a city bus, mid-sized bus, large freight vehicle, trolley bus or tramcar, the applicant shall be 20 years old or older but younger than 50;

(4) If an applicant applies for a driver’s license of the permitted type of a large-sized bus, or heavy traction truck, the applicant shall be 22years old or older but younger 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 years old or older but younger 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 years old or older but younger than 50.

2. Physical condition

(1) Stature: People who apply 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 tall or above. Those who apply for a driver’s license of the permitted type of a small vehicle or mid-sized bus shall be 150 centimeters tall or above;

(2) Eyesight: People who apply for a driver’s license of the permitted type of a large bus, tractor, mid-sized bus, large freight vehicle, city bus, trolley bus or tramcar, the applicant naked vision or corrected vision of both eyes shall be 5.0 or above in the logarithmic visual acuity chart; those who apply for a driver’s license of the permitted type of any other vehicle, their naked vision or corrected vision of both eyes shall be 4.9 or above in the logarithmic visual acuity chart; those who have 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 can 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 (red-green colorblindness);

(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 those who have hearing impairment but can meet the above conditions by wearing a hearing aid device, they can 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 the applicant’s hands are healthy and either hand must have at least three other healthy fingers, as well as normal motor function of limbs and fingers. 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: Both of the applicant’s lower limbs are healthy and their motor functions are normal, and the difference of the lower limbs shall not be more than 5 centimeters in length. But whoever lacks the left lower limb or whose left lower limb lacks 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 the right lower limb or both lower limbs or their motor function 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 is disqualified for applying for a driver’s license:

(1) The applicant has an organic heart disease, epilepsy, Meniere’s syndrome, vertigo, hysteria, Parkinson’s, mental disease, dementia, or a nervous system disease that affects the movement of limbs, or any other disease that impedes safe driving;

(2) The applicant has a history of drug abuse within three years, or within three years since the applicant had been isolated for compulsory drug rehabilitation, or the applicant has taken dependent psychotropic drugs for a long time and becomes addicted, and has not given them up;

(3) The applicant has a history of fleeing a traffic accident the applicant caused which constitutes a crime;

(4) The applicant has a history of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, and therefore a crime is constituted;

(5) It has not been five years since the applicant had been suspended from driving for DUI;

(6) It has not been two years since his or her driver’s license was suspended due to other circumstances;

(7) It has not been three years since the applicant’s driver’s license was revoked;

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

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

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

(1) The applicant is equally or more liable for a traffic accident causing death;

(2) The applicant has a history of DUI;

(3) It has not been 10 years since the applicant driver’s license was suspended or revoked.

II. Driver’s licenses of permitted types of vehicle

An applicant can apply for a driver’s license corresponding with the applicant’s overseas driver’s license. However, if an 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 accept a driver’s license for lower class of permitted type of vehicle, the applicant can apply for one.

III. Examination

1. Anyone who holds an overseas driver’s license is required to take an examination on Subject 1 when applying for a Chinese mainland driver’s license. If the applicant applies for a driver’s license of the permitted type of a large bus, tractor, mid-sized bus or large freight vehicle, the applicant shall also take an examination on Subject 3. A Chinese mainland resident who holds an overseas driver’s license shall take examinations on Subjects 1, 2 and 3 if the applicant’s stay in the license-issuing country or region is less than three months prior to the issuance of the license.

2. Anyone who holds a driver’s license issued by Belgium or is 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, the applicant shall be exempt from the examination and will receive a driver’s license upon application.

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

4. An applicant shall finish all subject exams within three years after the applicant’s application is accepted the vehicle management authority.

5. An 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 a photocopy of an overseas driver’s license; in case a driver’s license is not in the Chinese language, a Chinese language translation 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 an applicant is a Chinese mainland resident, the applicant shall provide the applicant’s passport; the Exit-Entry Permit for Traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macao; or the Mainland Residents Traveling to Taiwan Permit and the Taiwan Entry Permit the applicant used when issued the overseas motor vehicle driver’s license.

Notes:

1. Please take a physical examination at a designated hospital above district level in Shenzhen, with the examination being within six months of its validity;

2. Please get a 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 head-and-shoulder 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. An overseas driver’s license refers to the driver’s license that is issued by a foreign country or China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan, and certifies that the license owner is qualified for driving independently.

Online reservation

Applicants 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 driver’s license.

1. An applicant shall first make an appointment online.

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

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 an examination on Subject 1 can make a reservation for the exam at the “quick reservation” office. The applicant who is required to take two or more exams shall leave the applicant fingerprint and ID photos at the designated window and make a reservation for the exams on the second day by registering an account on Shenzhen Online Traffic Police and reserving the exams.

5. The applicant shall print out the exam results after passing the exams. Applicants who apply for a driver’s license for 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 that accepted their application.

Materials required for collecting the driver’s license: The application acceptance receipt, original ID certificate of the applicant (or original ID 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 a driver’s license: 10 yuan per license. A Hong Kong resident who replaces a Hong Kong driver’s license with a Chinese mainland one without exams shall pay fees according to the adjusted rates of examination fees for a driver’s license: 480 yuan per person for cars or 225 yuan per 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 per person for cars or 112.5 yuan per person for motorcycles.

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

3. An applicant who fails in the first exam will be given a chance on site to retake the exam for free. If the applicant fails for a second time, the applicant will have to reserve the subject exam again at 50% of the original exam fee. An 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. A motorist (including Hong Kong residents who have replaced Hong Kong driver’s licenses with Chinese mainland driver’s licenses without exams) who has gotten 12 penalty points for traffic violations within one year shall take specified subject exams at 80% 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

Office hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Mon.-Fri., except public holidays)

Approval authority

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

Contact information: 

Hotline: (0755) 83333333

WeChat ID: szcgs2012

Appendix:

Supplementary statement on applicant’s identity certificate

1. The identity certificate for Chinese mainland 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 army identity certificate, 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 be 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 that has 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.)

You can also go to Pingshan Vehicle Management Branch for more information: 

Add: Qixing Building, 12 Jinniu West Road, Pingshan District

Office hours: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 2-5:30 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.)