Hello from China

@ChinaV - totally agree. Many agents' are completely legit, and help people get around the very confusing and convoluted "system." Further, there have been several cases reported (in Beijing) where a foreigner with a legit overseas license is told (by the Traffic Police) "nope, looks fake to me" and brushed aside. Grounds for appeal? Yeah, right, TIC. Back of the line, buddy, and try again another day.

Also, to get the MC license in an "easy" city like Beijing, there are weird rules. For example, to get a new MC endorsement, you have to take the one week set of all-day classes (Monday to Friday) - not many professionals can book off a week. And the "classes" are a complete waste of time - I know from my own staff who have taken them, and I went down to watch. Further, if you have a C1 license, you have to wait a minimum of one year before any "upgrade" can be done (i.e., adding the "E"). Using an agent in Beijing to get you through the bureaucratic mess currently costs 1,100 rmb at FESCO (a government-owned agency that is designed to help foreign expats settle in Beijing). Other agents are charging about 1,300 rmb, but provide additional "extras."

Every case is different, and it is possible to do it all on your own, but a little North of a grand (rmb) for a 6 year license, with minimal headaches and wasted time, seems to be quite acceptable. Yup, nothing at all wrong with using agents, IMHO.

I ran into two guys from Russia today on big bikes.
I asked them about getting a moto lic, in Wuhan, they both laughed and said now way they will not give one to a foreigner.
So, I asked what do you guys do if they stop you? They replied don't stop!
I don't want to have to ride this way.....

Dear Greg,

Did you go to the Wuhan Vehicle Management Bureau and ask? If they say that licenses are not available to any Wuhan resident, ask them to help you find a jurisdiction -- perhaps a suburb where bikes are still legal -- that will grant you a license. If that doesn't work, PM me and I'll ask my cop friends here what can be done.

cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by euphonius

Dear Greg,

Did you go to the Wuhan Vehicle Management Bureau and ask? If they say that licenses are not available to any Wuhan resident, ask them to help you find a jurisdiction -- perhaps a suburb where bikes are still legal -- that will grant you a license. If that doesn't work, PM me and I'll ask my cop friends here what can be done.

cheers

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Euphonius,

No, I haven't gone to the Wuhan Vehicle Management Bureau yet.
I will go in the next week or so and see what the deal is.
I really appreciate all your guys help.
If I have a problem I will let you know.

Thanks so much!

Greg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou

Wow! THAT is incredible! I've never heard of that before, and can't help wondering if it is the same in other primitive, regressive cities.

What about the "D" category? In Beijing, most are held by so-called "retired" or "handicapped" individuals who zip around on the 3-wheeled "things." "D" includes the "E" category.

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.
.
Shenzen = no motorbikes and no electric bikes, absolutely amazing to see NO bikes at all.
Coming from Weifang, where every one has a bike, be it electric or petrol (gas).
And even then, I would guess 40% of the petrol motorbikes have no licence plate at all.


Gra.

Hey Gregsw

Im in Wuhan I have a Qianjiang 150-19C plated and legal even tho bikes plates are not available in Wuhan you can get. Hubei plate

Need help I can share with you.

If you wanna mee up le know know Wuhan needs more bikers ;-)

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Astroboy66

If you wanna mee up le know know Wuhan needs more bikers ;-)

Bob

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Dear Bob,

Here's some extra Ts since it seems your computer is having trouble producing them! :icon10:

t t t t t t t t t t t t t :deal:

T T T T T T T T T T :deal:

cheers!

Hahaha

Yeah I dunno is my iPad has his rouble I can never seem o find he bloody ( ) key ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by euphonius

Dear Bob,

Here's some extra Ts since it seems your computer is having trouble producing them! :icon10:

t t t t t t t t t t t t t :deal:

T T T T T T T T T T :deal:

cheers!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Astroboy66

Hey Gregsw

Im in Wuhan I have a Qianjiang 150-19C plated and legal even tho bikes plates are not available in Wuhan you can get. Hubei plate

Need help I can share with you.

If you wanna mee up le know know Wuhan needs more bikers ;-)

Bob

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Bob,

It would be great to meet up with you. I do need your help I can take you to lunch or dinner, beer whatever.
I can't speak Chinese and getting my wife to help me seems impossible.
I think she just doesn't want me to ride. I feel it is something I need to do.
Been itching to get on a bike and ride with some new friends.
I will PM you my number.

Greg

Hi Greg

I'm now back in Wuhan after a week away in Shanghai and Guangzhou

How about one evening this week meet?

I will also txt you

Bob Astro

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Astroboy66

Hi Greg

I'm now back in Wuhan after a week away in Shanghai and Guangzhou

How about one evening this week meet?

I will also txt you

Bob Astro

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Bob,

Welcome back.... :icon10:

Yeah, any time in the evenings after 6:00pm is good, just let me know when and where.
I am not far from the place you mentioned in the PM. I live near the north end of Jiefang Park, just off of Huangxiahe Rd.
I can ride my e-bike to meet you. :scooter:



Greg

Hi Greg just PM,ed you my number lets try hook up on Saturday

I eventually hooked up with astroboy66 and he is a top notch guy, he has helped me out a lot! We have become good pretty friends here in Wuhan.
I hope that we can ride together someday soon!
Wednesday, I'm going for the car drive permit, once that is completed, I will go for the motorcycle permit.
Wish me luck.

Hey Buddy think this is what we looked at at the shop in Houhu

http://top.yingangmotor.com/product/...pe=3&infoid=13

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Astroboy66

Hey Buddy think this is what we looked at at the shop in Houhu

http://top.yingangmotor.com/product/...pe=3&infoid=13

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Yeah it does, except the one we looked at was a 150cc. I'm off to go buy it this Saturday afternoon. Will you be in Wuhan then?

It's been awhile since I posted here on Chinamoto.

Attachment 10373

After thinking about it and looking at the available bikes at the time, I ended up buying a 150cc scooter.
I wanted to see if the police would pull me over or not. If they take my scooter no big deal, it was only 4000rmb.
I have been riding everyday to work since November and have had no issues with the local law enforcement.
In fact, they sometimes wave at me and smile.
I am looking to buy a real bike now, the scooter was kind of a test. It is fun and much better than my e-bike, but it's not a real bike.
I've had my eye on a XTR 250F. The local shop here has a supermotor version for 12800.. and 1500 for plates.
Save save save....

Hi my name is Laith I live in Wuhan, I'm currently outside of China doing a motorcycle course followed by an exam and I'll be back in wuhan in September (with an international licence if that helps) and I was wondering if we could meet up and discuss the steps I need to do in order to get a legal bike in Wuhan.

P.S I think I've met you Bob if you recall it was next to Hanjie in Wuchang

Hi Leith

yes I remember in Han Street right?

So yeah wanna meet up no problem just let me know
for licence I think you will need to convert your foreign licence to a Chinese C1E and take the simple Chinese licence test then you should be good to go

Bob

Yep in Han Street, alright well I still have your number if you haven't changed it and ill be back in September, thanks for the help hopefully ill be riding a bike soon

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brosama

Hi my name is Laith I live in Wuhan, I'm currently outside of China doing a motorcycle course followed by an exam and I'll be back in wuhan in September (with an international licence if that helps) and I was wondering if we could meet up and discuss the steps I need to do in order to get a legal bike in Wuhan.

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Dear Laith,

Not sure what you mean by an "international driver's license" but what will do the most good for you in China is a valid motorcycle license or car license with motorcycle endorsement from your home country. With a legal home-country license, you can get a license in China without having to go through the trouble of taking a riding course and riding test in China. That is, unless you live in a city like Wuhan that apparently has stopped granting motorcycle licenses altogether because bikes are no longer allowed there. If you are lucky, you'll be residing in a district that still allows bikes and hence will issue a motorcycle license. Otherwise, fellow riders in Wuhan can probably help you to find a district, and you can temporarily transfer your temporary residence to that district long enough to do the paperwork. As we say, TIC -- this is China.

cheers
euphonius

An international driving permit is like a regular licence but it can be used outside of your country (obviously this excludes china) I'm happy to hear I just need a motorcycle licence as I do not have a car licence, after reading other posts I got worried. Oh and I was wondering I'm a dual citizen (2passports) does it matter if my visa is on one passport and my driving licence is on the other?