I. Sino-French mutual recognition of driver's licenses

Recognition of driver's licenses

1. China and France mutually recognize each other's valid driver's licenses. Individuals holding their national driver's licenses and residing in the other country for less than one year will have their licenses mutually recognized, permitting them to obtain temporary driving permits in the other country and drive in the other country, exempt from physical examinations, training, and examinations.

2. Holders of French driving licenses of 14 categories including AM and A1 can obtain temporary Chinese driving permits for corresponding categories B1, B2, C1, C2, D, E, and F for one year, starting from the date of valid residence in China, and drive vehicles corresponding to the categories of their French driving licenses.

Exchange of driver's licenses

1. For residents in each other's countries, driver's licenses can be exchanged without examination. Holders of French driving licenses for categories including AM and A1 can exchange them for corresponding Chinese driving licenses of categories C1, C2, D, E, and F.

2. For drivers who have resided in the other country for more than one year and intend to continue driving in that country, they must apply for a local driver's license. When holders of driver's licenses from one country apply for driver's licenses for vehicle types that are not covered by the exchange scope in the other country, they should follow local laws and regulations.

Mutual recognition and exchange of driver's licenses for specific individuals

1. For diplomats and students studying abroad, both countries grant equivalent preferential treatment, allowing them to drive with their national driver's licenses in the other country or obtain driver's licenses without training and examinations.

2. French students or diplomats in China can obtain Chinese driving licenses for corresponding categories valid during their study or work period, exempt from training and examinations.

II. Processing conditions and requirements

(1) For individuals holding French driver's licenses who have stayed in China for no more than one year: Upon submission of a valid passport, a visa or a residence permit issued by Chinese diplomatic missions abroad or the exit and entry departments of China's public security organs, a French driver's license with a translated copy in Chinese, and other relevant documents, if eligible, a temporary driving permit for the corresponding vehicle type will be issued.

(2) For individuals holding French driver's licenses who have resided in China for more than one year: Upon submission of a valid passport, a residence permit issued by the exit and entry departments of China's public security organs or a permanent residence permit issued by the National Immigration Administration, a French driver's license with a translated copy in Chinese, a physical fitness certificate, and other relevant documents, if eligible, a driving license for the corresponding vehicle type will be issued.

(3) For French diplomats or students in China: Upon submission of a valid passport, a diplomatic identity certificate issued by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or study-related residence permit issued by the exit and entry departments of China's public security organs, a French driver's license with a translated copy in Chinese, a physical fitness certificate, and other relevant documents, if eligible, a driving license for the corresponding vehicle type will be issued.

III. Materials required:

1. Application Form for Motor Vehicle Driver's License (Available at various branches of the Vehicle Management Office, driver management windows of district (county) traffic police branches, driving schools, and designated digital photo shooting points for driver's licenses. Or you can download and print it from the websites of the exit and entry departments of China's public security organs);

2. Confirmation from district (county) level or above hospitals approved by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health, or health examination stations under the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or medical institutions at regimental level or above stationed in Shanghai, regarding physical condition. Applicants for special small-sized automatic passenger cars for disabled drivers should submit proof of physical condition from a specialized medical institution designated by the provincial health authority. Applicants who are personnel of foreign embassies, consulates in China, and representatives of international organizations stationed in China do not need to provide a Certificate of Physical Condition;

3. Applicant's identification and photocopies;

4. French driver's license (in accordance with the EU format French driver's license issued since Sept 16, 2013), if not in Chinese, a translated copy in Chinese must also be provided;

a. Shanghai SISU Translation Service Co Ltd (No 573 Chifeng Road, Hongkou district. Tel: 021-65362032)

b. Shanghai Interpreters' Association (Room 1607, No 1277 West Beijing Road, Jing'an district. Tel: 021-63218568, 021-63239910)

c. Embassies or consulates of the countries that issued the driving license.

5. A digital copy of your ID photo

IV. Procedures:

Applicants should bring the above-mentioned documents to the various branches of the Shanghai municipal vehicle management office to obtain a local vehicle driver's license with a French driver's license.

V. Acceptance time and locations:

(1) Acceptance time: 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday

(2) Acceptance locations:

a. First Branch of Vehicle Management Office (No 2999 West Huaxia Road, Pudong New Area)

b. Second Branch (No 3 Gate, No 179 Qinchun Road, Minhang district. The testing venue is located at No 100 Miaojing Road.)

c. Third Branch (No 2638 Hunan Road, Pudong New Area)

d. Fourth Branch (No 299 Anfen Road, Baoshan district. The testing venue is located at No 969 Boyuan Road, Jiading district)

Source: Traffic Police Headquarters of Shanghai Public Security Bureau