How to get a Chinese Motorcycle License

Not sure I follow your logic. Who is saying there's an upper limit of 200cc for registration? Fuyang or Xiaoshan? Or Hangzhou itself? If Hangzhou has banned bikes, as it has, it doesn't matter where your bike is registered; it's not welcome. My Shanghai-plated Jialing is not welcome in Hangzhou, though I've passed through several times -- bang through the middle of town -- with no issues. (In fact, it may be that I was not hassled precisely because I was displaying an out-of-town plate.) I can ride my Shanghai-plated bike anywhere in China where bikes are allowed, so why would you not be able to ride in various areas of Zhejiang on a JH600 with plates from, say, Anji, or perhaps Ningbo (perhaps with help from bikerdoc, who has plated numerous bikes in some district there)?

I also don't understand the logic of registering a 250cc bike if the upper limit is 200cc. Go for the JH600, and get legal plates in some jurisdiction where this is not an issue, then ride the bike you want, wherever you want (subject to local restrictions).

My 50 fen worth...

cheers

My logic would be that I'd like to register in Fuyang, because that's where the bike will have it's home in a garage, ready for me to use.
Suppose, say, next year Fuyang have the great idea to ban motorbikes I would still be able to ride as I have Fuyang plates, while if I have a Anji plate I would have a real problem, a bike sitting in a garage that can't go out legally.

As for the 200cc limit I'm surprised as well, but Jialing nearest dealer (in XiaoShan) said is impossible to register anything above 200 cc either in XiaoShan or Fuyang, while Fuyang Yamaha dealer said it's no problem to register a YBR250.

I'n not sure why, it doesn't make any kind of logic to me, but since I live in China I stopped asking too many questions, to me the Yamaha dealer has connections while the Jialing dealer has no connection or can't be asked to embark in the hassle of registering a JH600.

I feel the dealer should solve the wenti, not me, that's their job, not mine. I found ridiculous the Jialing dealer saying he could sell me the bike, but
i would need to register on my own, as he said can't be done nearby.

:popcorn:

I love reading threads where the logic of Chinese "rules" is discussed.

:popcorn:

This has probably been posted elsewhere already, but here tis again just in case.
http://www.shekouonline.com/drivingtest.html

Looks pretty useful.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by robtho

This has probably been posted elsewhere already, but here tis again just in case.
http://www.shekouonline.com/drivingtest.html

Looks pretty useful.

---

Nice post. And nice that someone went to the trouble of setting this up with the automatic scoring feature.

I see it has 802 questions, only two of which mention motorcycles (I searched). I'd heard the total universe of questions was 1500, so this may be the car-only exam. Those of us in this forum will want to be sure to cover motorcycle-related questions, as we are usually given a test that includes these.

The motorcycle test is available online, and I think I have the questions in my laptop.

cheers

My understanding is that the person who put it together is doing so on his own time and that it's a work in progress. He lists his email on the page so I'm guessing the more people take the time to let him know that his effort is appreciated the more likely he is to continue. Well I hope he does anyway.

I've managed to work my way through 600 of the questions so far and am learning heaps already.

Is the URL for the online test posted here anywhere please?

Dear Rob,

There are a couple of government URLs earlier in this thread, here. These are from the Shanghai Traffic Management Bureau, but the tests are national in nature so there should be no difference between those found here and those in other cities.

As mentioned many times before, it's best to avoid applying logic to these questions -- or you'll quickly go mad. Just memorize the "right" answer even if it makes no sense at all, and you'll pass with flying colors. Sample question: Is it legal to wear high-heeled shoes while riding a motorcycle? (It's in there somewhere...)

Happy cramming!
cheers

Thank you kind sir. I was thinking the reason I was struggling with understanding some of these questions was due to either something being missed in the translation or the breakdown on my cognitive abilities due to the onset of advanced age.

Well with all of these tools at my disposal now I should be well prepared for the tests in August.:mwink:

Good luck to you. As you'll have seen, one member recently set the bar very high, acing the written test with a 100 score. All you need is 90. On mine I think there were 50 questions. Here in Shanghai the test is administered on a computer screen, and processed as soon as you submit it. So you know right away. Alas, they will not allow you to check which ones (if any) you missed, which is a bit stupid, if you ask me.

Be sure to review them all once more 24 hours or less before your exam. Lest you succumb to errant logic.

Where in China did you say you are moving, or is this just a visit?

cheers

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by euphonius

Good luck to you. As you'll have seen, one member recently set the bar very high, acing the written test with a 100 score. All you need is 90. On mine I think there were 50 questions. Here in Shanghai the test is administered on a computer screen, and processed as soon as you submit it. So you know right away. Alas, they will not allow you to check which ones (if any) you missed, which is a bit stupid, if you ask me.

Be sure to review them all once more 24 hours or less before your exam. Lest you succumb to errant logic.

Where in China did you say you are moving, or is this just a visit?

cheers

---

Thanks for the tips. I lived in GZ several years ago and have been making irregular trips back ever since we shifted over to Japan. My plan is to get organised and legal for bike ownership and operation somehow and to make more trips of several months duration over the next few years to get into more out of the way places than I've managed by following the guide books. I still have friends in Yiwu and GZ who are willing to help me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ZMC888

Getting a Chinese Motorcycle License

2. You have a tourist, business, or other non-residential type of visa, and you do not have a motorcycle license from another country; in this case you cannot get a Chinese motorcycle license or temporary license.

---

Well for all who are not sure if they can get a drivers licence without a residence visa : I am in Beijing on a 6 month F visa and do not have a motorcycle drivers licence from another country. I enrolled at Laoshan last weekend, scheduled my written test today and so far nobody had any objections. So it seems like this can be done. Will of course let the thread know if any problems arise...

Hi Fanhi, please do keep us posted! If you succeed then that will go against what we all thought on this forum! Best of luck!

I'll be burning some incense and beating my drum for you. Hoping for more smooth sailing.

Keep us posted.

I will also be keen to see how you get on with this. I've been in touch with a friend in Yiwu city and he has made enquiries on my behalf and has said that as long as I take lessons that getting a licence should be no problem regardless of visa status.
However the proof of this is will be in the testing.

To acquire a Chinese DL, your visa has to be >90 days. Registering a bike in your name requires >180 day visa.

It does not matter what type of visa you have - only the duration is important.

And, on any type of visa you also need to have the residence registration. If you have a "Z" entry visa (commonly called the working visa), or a student visa ("X"), the residency registration is likely stamped inside your passport. All other visa types (e.g. "L" and "F") require the small white piece of paper entitled "Registration Form of Temporary Residence" acquired from the local police station.

Hi there,

I think some confusion stems from the wording on the BJ Transport Management website which states something along the lines that a "residency visa valid more than 90 days" is necessary. According to my understanding only Z,X and the marriage visa are technically residency visa. When I saw the regulations on the website, I almost scraped my plans to register for DL.

Anyway, as I said: so far it seems possible to do it and LJH as one of the authorities on everything Moto in BJ seems also pretty sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fahni

Hi there,

I think some confusion stems from the wording on the BJ Transport Management website which states something along the lines that a "residency visa valid more than 90 days" is necessary. According to my understanding only Z,X and the marriage visa are technically residency visa. When I saw the regulations on the website, I almost scraped my plans to register for DL.

Anyway, as I said: so far it seems possible to do it and LJH as one of the authorities on everything Moto in BJ seems also pretty sure.

---

Haha - thanks for the compliment (if intended), but I am definitely NOT an authority. I've often contradicted myself because I've discovered that what I believed to be the truth was, in fact, not true. Nevertheless, I keep scratching at the TMB surface, hoping the truth surfaces somewhere.

I received my DL a long time ago on an "F" (lecturing / business), and similarly registered a few cars & several bikes on an "F". I've never had a "Z" or "X", nor have many of my licensed riding friends. I learned that the only "rule" is duration of visa.

People say that the "Z" or "X" is a residency visa but, in fact, it is the exact same as a longer-term "L" or "F" as far as "temporary residency" is concerned. In the old days, a multi-year "F" was available and that was considered the great grand-daddy of visas. But I digress.

All said, the ultimate authority is ALWAYS the person behind the counter on the day you visit the TMB. That's why most China-seasoned people recommend using agents - they have established relationships, and know the ins/outs of how everything works.

Kudos to you for making the effort and getting legal - hope to see you at the bike show this weekend.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou

Haha - thanks for the compliment (if intended), but I am definitely NOT an authority. I've often contradicted myself because I've discovered that what I believed to be the truth was, in fact, not true. Nevertheless, I keep scratching at the TMB surface, hoping the truth surfaces somewhere.

Kudos to you for making the effort and getting legal - hope to see you at the bike show this weekend.

---

More an acknowledgment than a compliment...

Would be interested in getting in touch with one of these agents for plating my bike!

Will be at EICMA on Sat and will look out for a guy dressed in black leather riding gear :) Seriously, if you already know that you will be there on Sat, PM me and let's meet up...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fahni

Would be interested in getting in touch with one of these agents for plating my bike!

---

Likewise for me, if anyone knows one in SH, I'm starting to have my doubts on the abilities of the guy I'm buying my bike off. He has givin me a one month wait time to get my bike plated.

He said 现在国三标准的摩托车要到七月份才能上牌，你的情况可以上，在等等。 Dunno if anyone can shed some light onto the credibility of this. I know other shops can 上牌 me in 10 days if I buy their bikes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fahini

Well for all who are not sure if they can get a drivers licence without a residence visa : I am in Beijing on a 6 month F visa and do not have a motorcycle drivers licence from another country. I enrolled at Laoshan last weekend, scheduled my written test today and so far nobody had any objections. So it seems like this can be done. Will of course let the thread know if any problems arise...

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou

To acquire a Chinese DL, your visa has to be >90 days. Registering a bike in your name requires >180 day visa.

---

If this is correct that's cool, most of the information on this sticky was gained as a collective effort between what could be ascertained between Chinabiker, myself and many others trying to read or translate the Chinese, I posted the information because the same question was being asked again and again. I hope you are right! Will update the sticky if the information is incorrect.

Hello All, I just joined this forum today, here goes with my first post.

Has anyone out there got any experience in obtaining a motorcycle license in Tianjin? I have held both my South African car and motorcycle licenses for >20 years and I have held a Tianjin car license since 2000. I recently had to renew my car license for another cycle (6 years this time) and at the time I requested to have my motorcycle license included. This request was basically dismissed out of hand with a 'Tianjin do not issue motorcycle licenses'. Since then I have tried in TangGu, some smaller cities in nearby Herbei province and also recently my wife (who is Chinese) contacted the Laoshan school who told me I needed to be a Beijing resident and I needed a Beijing car license (for more than 1 year) before I could apply. This seems to go against some of the advise on this thread. Anyone have any ideas of who I can contact or where (City) I could go and apply?

Hi Pete,

Welcome to the forum & good luck to you.

What happened to me is that because I also had already a car driving licence I had to cancel my licence and request a new one for car and motorbikes.

THe first impression reading your post is that you came across some incompetent police man who thought to go rought on you. If Chinese people can have a motorbike driving licence in Tianjin then you also can.

I don't understand why Tianjin should not issue motorbike licences all together, I live in Hangzhou ( a dry city) and I could obtain a driving licence here....

I would suggest first to verify if is possible for a Chinese national to obtain a motorbike driving licence, if yes, then go to the MAIN traffic management police station and ask there.

Normally speaking you need to cancel your current driving licence, apply for a new one for motorbike & car, wait a while, do a written exam and that's it.
Take care the process is time consuming and you could face from couple of weeks to more than a months without driving licence.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by marcomagica

Hi Pete,

Welcome to the forum & good luck to you.

What happened to me is that because I also had already a car driving licence I had to cancel my licence and request a new one for car and motorbikes.

THe first impression reading your post is that you came across some incompetent police man who thought to go rought on you. If Chinese people can have a motorbike driving licence in Tianjin then you also can.

I don't understand why Tianjin should not issue motorbike licences all together, I live in Hangzhou ( a dry city) and I could obtain a driving licence here....

I would suggest first to verify if is possible for a Chinese national to obtain a motorbike driving licence, if yes, then go to the MAIN traffic management police station and ask there.

Normally speaking you need to cancel your current driving licence, apply for a new one for motorbike & car, wait a while, do a written exam and that's it.
Take care the process is time consuming and you could face from couple of weeks to more than a months without driving licence.

---

Thanks for the welcome and reply, MM. Actually I was at the 'main' traffic license station and I did talk to more than one policeman but, at the time I was not as desperate to get the bike license as I am now, so I must admit I let it slide quite easily. I take your point re locals having bike licenses and I guess it's another one of those 'first time they've had to deal with this kind of request' so automatic NO scenarios, will definitely be visiting again and give it another shake. Think I'll have the license, passport copy, etc. translated before I go.

Would be great if there's any Tianjin ren on the forum who have some practical experience in this matter to share.

Dear Pete,

Welcome to the forum, and thank you for being the pioneer of getting licensed in Tianjin. It WILL happen, and you'll find the way, and you'll enlighten all of us and very likely help some expat in future who arrives in Tianjin and wants a motorbike endorsement.

Marco's advice is spot on. The cop who told you that was either incompetent, or smarting from a fight with his wife and wanted to have a go at a foreigner, or, quite possibly, was a proponent of that strange but quite widespread school of thought that goes, "I'll protect the foreigner from his own bad judgment." In any case, I've never heard of any city in China that refuses to license foreigners or Chinese to ride motorcycles -- even dry cities like Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. It's in the national traffic law that local jurisdictions must have vehicle management bureaux that issue licenses to drive/ride.

Very likely you'll have to follow the same path as Marco, getting your C1 licence canceled and applying for a replacement C1E (motorbike and car) or C1D (car, motorbike and sidecar). Since you've kept your safrican license and motorbike endorsement up to date, it's just a matter of applying for the broader license, taking the motorcycle-based test, paying a modest fee and waiting a few weeks. Your great fortune is that you will NOT have to muck around with driving classes and a road test, which are mandatory for those who do NOT have a valid foreign license.

Good luck, and looking forward to your happy progress-filled updates!

cheers

I second that, as I got my first Chinese DL in 2004 I had no Motorcycle endorsement. This DL was from Shanghai, I moved to Kunming, wanted to add the Motorcycle/Sidecar (D) class. That was not possible as my Shanghai license needed inspection every 2 years (prescription glases) - which I never did.
I just made a new DL in Kunming, incl. class (D).
For some time I had two licenses, both valid, the Shanghai one only (C1) and a Knming License (C1D).

The system is not conected, e.g. you have new passport number - you can make new license, you move to a different city you can make new license
...and get as many as you want/need for whatever reason...

Hi ChinaPete,

How is your quest for the holy driving licence going? any luck yet?

Hi MM, I've been on a business trip for the last two weeks, plan to visit the Traffic police next week. Will update the fred as things unfold.

OK Guy's I need some help, New here in Wuhan, what exactly do I need to do to get C1D licence here, My current home DL is unrestricted for motorcycles. Unfortunately there are no locals who can offer me assistance.

Try going to the traffic police office (where you register vehicles and get DL) and see if there are any 'facilitators' or huang niu (yellow cow) hanging around outside. For a fee they might help you through the process or maybe even just be able to buy one for you. They won't have any english though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by budda

OK Guy's I need some help, New here in Wuhan, what exactly do I need to do to get C1D licence here, My current home DL is unrestricted for motorcycles. Unfortunately there are no locals who can offer me assistance.

---

I would avoid 'facilitators', as the only thing they facilitate is the passage of money from your wallet to theirs.

You really on your own? you don't have even a translator to help? All you need is to get your driving licence translated, here in Hangzhou this is done at public security bureau (same place where they issue the VISA), remember to tell the translator that your driving licence is also for motorbikes and trikes, otherwise they will just write for cars. Once you have that piece of paper done you need to have health check for driving and apply for driving licence.

You will then need wait a few weeks before being able to do your written exam, which here in Hangzhou is done in English at a computer and your driving licence is done!

Here health check is done at police station, while written exam is done at another place only for that.

I would say it's mission impossible if you have nobody to help, is not difficult, but you need to know at least where these place are.

Remember to bring plenty of copies of passport, driving licence and visa as well as several pictures of yours in different formats, what you don't want is to be bounced for a missing picture or copy or whatever...