A temporary driving permit allows eligible visitors with a valid overseas driving licence to drive a rental car during their trip to the Chinese mainland. You can apply at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), so it is worth preparing the paperwork before you fly.
Where to go
The vehicle management station is on 1/F (ground floor) of Terminal 3, opposite Door 7. Look for the vehicle management service station inside the terminal.
Office hours
- Working days: Monday to Friday
- Morning: 08:30–11:30
- Afternoon: 13:30–16:30
- Closed: Saturdays, Sundays and Chinese public holidays
- Station telephone: +86 10 6453 0010
All times are Beijing time (UTC+8). Check the station’s schedule for your arrival date before travelling, especially around Chinese public holidays.
What to prepare
You must attend in person to apply. Prepare the following documents before your airport visit:
- Your original passport, plus your visa or stay/residence document if applicable.
- Your original, valid full overseas driving licence.
- A Chinese translation of your licence, issued by a translation company in China, if your licence is not in Chinese.
- A copy of the translation company’s business licence.
- Two recent 1-inch colour ID photographs with a white background.
You must also prepare a Chinese name for the application. Ask your translation provider to include both your Chinese name and the name shown on your passport.
The translation must bear the translation company’s official stamp, with a cross-page seal spanning the translation and a photocopy of your driving licence. The company’s business licence copy must also bear its original official stamp, so bring the original stamped paper set.
The station’s business centre offers photo and photocopying services. On-site photo preparation may involve a Chinese-language WeChat mini-program, so bringing suitable printed photos can save time.
Fees and processing time
At the station, staff review your documents and process the application. The official permit fee is RMB 10; translation, photographs and optional assistance cost extra.
Travellers applying at Capital Airport have reported receiving a permit in about 30 minutes. Validity and using your permit
For a short visit, the permit is generally valid for three months. The tourist permit described here is for rental cars within the authorised vehicle category and cannot be used to drive a friend’s or relative’s private car.
Keep your passport, temporary permit, original overseas licence and Chinese translation, where applicable, with you when driving. Make sure the vehicle you rent falls within the category shown on your permit.
Translation and airport assistance
True Words Translation can prepare your stamped Chinese licence translation and supporting company documents before you travel. We can arrange delivery to your hotel in Beijing or an airport handover, as well as in-person assistance at the T3 vehicle management station.
