For many foreigners planning to come to China, matters related to driving in China are of great concern. One of the questions that everyone is most concerned about is: Can one drive legally and compliantly in China with an international driver's license? The answer is clear: No.

Next, let's deeply analyze the relevant key points of international driver's licenses.

对于许多计划来到中国的外国人而言，在中国驾驶汽车的相关事宜备受关注。其中，大家最为关心的问题之一便是：持有国际驾照，是否就能在中国合法合规地开车？答案是明确的：不可以。

接下来，就为大家深度剖析国际驾照的相关要点。

1

Definition and Background of International Driver's Licenses

国际驾照的定义与背景

The international driver's license we usually refer to is IDP (International Driving Permit). It is a document issued by official agencies of various countries based on the United Nations Conventions on Road Traffic (such as the 1949 《Geneva Convention on Road Traffic》 and the 1968 《Vienna Convention on Road Traffic》). Essentially, the IDP is a multilingual translation document, and its function is to prove that the driver has a legal driving qualification in other contracting countries. However, due to various reasons such as historical and political factors, China has not joined the 《United Nations Conventions on Road Traffic》. As a result, Chinese mainland residents cannot directly apply for an IDP international driver's license. At the same time, China does not recognize the validity of international driver's licenses within the country.

通常我们所说的国际驾照，指的是 IDP（International Driving Permit） 。它是依据《联合国道路交通公约》（如 1949 年《日内瓦道路交通公约》以及 1968 年《维也纳道路交通公约》），由各国官方机构签发的文件。本质上，IDP 是一种多语言翻译文件，其作用是证明驾驶员在其他签约国家拥有合法的驾驶资格。不过，由于历史和政治等多方面原因，中国尚未加入《联合国道路交通公约》。这就导致中国大陆居民无法直接申请 IDP 国际驾照，同时，中国也不承认国际驾照在国内的效力。

2

Ways for Foreigners to Drive in China

外国人在中国开车的途径

• Short - term Stay
• 短期停留：如果是短期暂留在中国，可通过本国驾照及一系列相关材料换领中国临时驾照。一般来说，临时驾照的有效期为 3 个月，并且可申请延长，但延长时间累计不超过 1 年。需要注意的是，在使用临时驾照时，必须同时出示外国驾照。

• Long - term Residence
• 长期居住：对于长期居住在中国的外国人，建议重新考取正式的中国驾照。根据申请的准驾车型不同，可能需要参加科目一（理论考试）或科目三（路考）。初次申领的中国驾照有效期为 6 年。若在 6 年有效期内，每个记分周期均未扣满 12 分，便可换领 10 年有效期的驾照；若在 10 年有效期内，每个记分周期依旧未扣满 12 分，后续就能换领长期有效的驾照。申请时，需准备好护照等有效国际旅行证件、持有 3 个月以上的有效停留签证或者居留证件，以及公安机关出具的住宿登记证明 。

3

Differences between IDP and Other Related Certificates

IDP 与其他相关证件的区别

• IDD (International Driving Document)
• IDD（International Driving Document）和 IDP都属于国际驾驶证明文件。其中，IDP 在国际上的认可度更高，像日本、韩国等对驾照承认门槛较高的国家都承认 IDP，而 IDD 的使用范围则会因不同国家的政策而有所差异。

• IAA (International Automobile Association) and KIDA (Krascar International Driving Association)
• Essentially, both of them are driver's license translation documents. The application scope of IAA is relatively wide, but some countries do not accept it; the application scope of KIDA is relatively limited.
• 这两者本质上都是驾照翻译件。IAA 的适用范围相对较广，但部分国家并不接受；KIDA 的适用范围则比较有限。

4

Application Points and Practical Suggestions

申请要点与实用建议

From the perspective of application, since China has not joined the relevant conventions, neither Chinese nor foreigners can directly apply for an IDP on the Chinese mainland. To apply for an IDP, one needs to obtain a driver's license from a contracting state first. So, how can Chinese or foreigners on the Chinese mainland operate if they want to travel abroad for a short - term and rent a car for self - driving? At this time, they can apply for an IAA through a Chinese driver's license. The application time for IAA is relatively short, usually only 2 - 3 working days can be completed, the cost is lower compared with IDP, and the scope of applicable countries is also wider. However, it should be noted that some countries and regions, such as Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong (China), Macau (China), etc., do not accept IAA international driver's licenses. In addition, whether using an IDP or an IAA international driver's license, one must present their own national driver's license at the same time. In terms of validity period, the validity period of IDP is usually 1 year, while the validity period of IAA is usually 10 years or 20 years.

从申请角度来看，由于中国未加入相关公约，无论是中国人还是外国人，在中国大陆都无法直接申请 IDP。要申请 IDP，需先获得缔约国的驾照。那么，中国大陆的中国人或外国人若想短期出国旅行并自驾租车，该如何操作呢？此时可以通过中国驾照来申请 IAA。IAA 的申请时间较短，通常 2 - 3 个工作日即可完成，费用相较于 IDP 也更低，适用国家范围也更广。不过，需要注意的是，部分国家和地区，如日本、韩国、中国香港、中国澳门等，并不接受 IAA 国际驾照。此外，无论使用 IDP 还是 IAA 国际驾照，都必须同时出示本国驾照。在有效期方面，IDP 的有效期通常为 1 年，而 IAA 的有效期通常为 10 年或 20 年。

In summary, everyone can comprehensively consider and choose the most suitable international driver's license for themselves from multiple dimensions such as legal authority, issuing agency, scope of applicable countries, application time, application price, and validity period according to their actual needs.

综上所述，大家可以根据自身实际需求，从合法权威性、颁发机构、适用国家范围、申请时间、申请价格以及有效期等多个维度，综合考量并选择最适合自己的国际驾照。

If you are a foreigner living in China and plan to leave China for a short - term self - driving tour and want to apply for an IAA international driver's license, you are welcome to consult us at any time. We will provide you with professional and comprehensive answers and guidance to help you start your self - driving journey smoothly.

如果您是居住在中国的外国人，并且计划离开中国进行短期自驾游，想要申请 IAA 国际驾照，欢迎随时向我们咨询。我们将为您提供专业、全面的解答与指导，助力您的自驾之旅顺利开启。

Author 作者 | Ryan