Chinese Driving Licence Translation for Use Abroad
Get your Chinese driving licence (驾驶证) translated into English, French or another language for a rental, a licensing authority or a licence exchange.
Exchanging your licence? We can also translate your driving record and the supporting documents your authority requests.
Free quote within a few hours, 24 h at the latest.
- ISO 17100 certified translation process
- TAC member
- 40+ languages
- China-based team
Agency seal specimen
Using a foreign licence in China? We check the local vehicle management office’s requirements before translating. For Shanghai, use one of the two designated providers listed in our guide. See the process
What is a certified driving licence translation?
A certified driving licence translation reproduces the information on the original licence in another language. It covers the holder’s name, licence number, vehicle categories, issue and expiry dates, issuing authority and seal, with a certification statement appropriate to the requested format.
Carry the original licence with the translation. Your destination’s driving rules and the recipient’s document requirements still apply.
Where will you drive?
Choose the destination and intended use. We confirm the translation format with you before starting. Requirements vary by country, state, province and rental location.
United States
Rental or a state licensing office
Certified English where accepted. Check state rules and the rental location.
US driving guidanceUnited Kingdom
Visitor driving or car rental
Certified English if requested. Use the DVLA checker for Great Britain.
Check driving eligibilityFrance
Short stay or France Titres exchange
Sworn French translation when required.
Sworn translationAustralia
Visitor driving or state licence transfer
NAATI-certified English where accepted. NSW licence transfer has a separate approved-provider list.
NAATI translationCanada
Visitor driving or provincial licensing
English or French in the format your province accepts. British Columbia may require an ICBC-approved translator.
Check ICBC requirementsOther European destinations
Visitor driving, car rental or local licensing
English or the local language, with the certification your recipient specifies.
Read the destination guideExchanging your Chinese licence abroad?
We translate the documents in your exchange file, including the licence, driving record or experience letter and supporting records your authority asks for.
Start with the driving record
Look for 驾驶人安全驾驶记录 in the 交管12123 app or ask the issuing vehicle management office (车管所). Check whether the receiving authority accepts the app record or requires a separate certificate, stamped original or letter of experience.
Get a quote for the full exchange file
What to prepare by destination
Use these examples to brief us. Your authority confirms eligibility, deadlines and the documents it will accept.
France
For an eligible exchange, prepare both sides of the licence and a certificate of driving rights issued less than six months ago. France Titres may ask for supporting records depending on your situation. Use the French translation format specified for each document. France Titres checklist
Canada
Confirm the process with your province. If driving experience needs to be documented, bring the original licence record or a letter showing when your first licence was issued. Check the province’s accepted translators. ICBC driving experience guidance
Germany
Ask your local licensing office about testing, licence translation and proof of how long you have held the licence. Munich licensing guidance
Australia
Check the state’s transfer rules and whether it requests a licence validation letter. For NSW transfers, use an approved provider for your issuing jurisdiction, such as Multicultural NSW or the Department of Home Affairs. Service NSW requirements
Belgium
Ask the commune whether your specific licence model can be exchanged and whether it needs a sworn translation or proof of authenticity. Belgian mobility guidance
United Kingdom and United States
Check the local licensing route before requesting an exchange translation. The authority may require a local application or tests. Great Britain guidance · US guidance
Renting a car abroad with a Chinese licence
Ask the pickup location whether it accepts a certified translation of a mainland Chinese licence and whether its policy requires an International Driving Permit. Check directly with the Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise or other rental location you will use.
Mainland Chinese licences generally cannot be used to obtain an official IDP from mainland China. A translation helps the rental company read your licence. Confirm the location’s policy before you pay for the booking.
What your licence translation includes
- Translation of both sides, including stamps, dates and vehicle categories
- Name spelling aligned with your passport when provided
- Layout that follows the source and a certification statement for the agreed format
- PDF delivery, with paper availability confirmed in the quote
Need a separate notarisation or apostille? Tell us what the recipient requests. See apostille and notarisation services
- 姓名
- ••••
- 证号
- •••• ••••
- 准驾车型
- ••
- 有效期限
- •• / •• / ••••
- Name
- ••••
- Licence number
- •••• ••••
- Vehicle category
- ••
- Validity period
- •• / •• / ••••
HI-COM’s translation seal, applied to each page of an agency-certified translation.How it works
Send your licence
Share a clear photo of both sides by email, WeChat or WhatsApp.
Tell us where it goes
Give us the destination, intended use, deadline and any instructions from the recipient.
Review your quote
We confirm the translation format, price and delivery time.
Receive the translation
Get the agreed digital format and arrange a paper copy if available and needed.
Foreign licence for use in China
For a temporary permit or Chinese licence application outside Shanghai, tell us the city and the documents your local vehicle management office (车管所) requests. We check what it accepts before translating.
Driving licence translation FAQ
Driving abroad, renting a vehicle and preparing an exchange file.
Can I drive in the US, UK or Australia with a Chinese driving licence?
It depends on the state, licence status, length of stay and use. Check the US guidance, Great Britain’s licence checker or the Australian state authority before travelling.
Can I get an International Driving Permit for a mainland Chinese licence?
Mainland China does not normally issue IDPs for its licences. Check your destination and rental location before relying on a translation, especially if their policy requires an IDP.
Will Hertz, Avis or Europcar accept a certified translation?
Ask the exact pickup location to confirm in writing what it accepts for your licence, reservation and vehicle class. Send us that requirement when you request a quote.
Do I need a sworn or NAATI translation?
Use the format the recipient requires. Sworn French translation is relevant for many French applications. NAATI-certified translation may be accepted in Australia, subject to the state and use.
How fast can I get my licence translated?
We aim to send a free quote within a few hours and within 24 hours at the latest. The quote confirms delivery timing for your language, certification and file.
What is the 驾驶人安全驾驶记录?
It is a mainland Chinese driving record. It can support an exchange or evidence-of-experience application if the receiving authority accepts it. Check whether it also requests a certified translation, a recent official certificate or an original letter.
Can you translate my full licence exchange file for France?
Yes. Send the licence, the certificate of driving rights and the supporting documents France Titres asks for. We can arrange the sworn French translations and confirm the required format for each item.
Can you translate a foreign licence for use in China?
For cities outside Shanghai, we check the local office’s rules first. For Shanghai applications, use one of the designated providers in our guide.
Do I still need to carry my original licence?
Yes. Carry your valid original licence together with the translation and any other documents required for your trip.
Guides for your trip or move
HI-COM’s Shanghai team can read the original licence, vehicle categories and seals and translate related documents, including passport details, police clearance records or proof of residence if requested.
Explore certified Chinese document translationGet your driving licence translation quote
Tell us the destination, recipient, deadline and whether you need a rental translation or an exchange file. If you have the recipient’s requirements, share those too.
Free quote within a few hours, 24 h at the latest.
Send your request
Select Translation. To send photos of your licence, use one of the direct contact options.
