Validity of Chinese driving license in foreign countries

[French_Rider]

Hi everyone

This question has been in my mind for some time now. I browsed the forum but havent seen this very question yet, so I post here.

I have a chinese license for cars and motorcycles and plans to get the side-car license soon (so now C1+E and wanna evolve into C1+D).

I know that I can drive with it in my country - France - with an official translation, thanks to a bilateral agreement (we let chinese drive with their license; China doesnt wanna let anyone drive with non-chinese licenses so step up and gives us the chinese one after a computer test).

So I know I'm good for both ends of a transcontinental trip, but I wonder for the countries in between (could be Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia, then Ukraine and Europe). My guess is that since China isnt part of the system for international license, and since its a major world player with a lot of cooperation with many countries, other countries may let people drive with chinese licenses on their soil (through bilateral agreements) and enjoy the possibility to be granted a chinese license and drive in the middle kingdom.

Does someone knows about it? and if yes about the conditions to enjoy such a right, and potentially if it increases custom troubles and demands for bribes?

Thanks

P.S. I cant get an international license using my french one, at least for motorcycles. After 2 years having a car license, france used to grant people a 125cc bike license. When I transfered it, the Beijing Traffic Bureau gave me motorycles (E). So basically I only have the motorcyle license in China...

[CrazyCarl]

I think the general rule is to have as many as possible and hope at least one of them works.

If you have both international and french licenses, I would think you would be okay after leaving China to all points west.

A member on MCM, TokyoKid, has made that trip on a 125. He and many others on here may know more details.

CC

[French_Rider]

Hi Carl

The problem is that I don't have an international license. If I want to make one, it will be based on the categories I have on my french license, i.e. only cars. The fact that I have 125cc category will not grant me the motorcycle category for the international license since it's only for "light motos" and there are 2 other categories for bigger bikes.

And because China is not part of the system, my PRC license won't give me the international license and I'll have to use it all the way. Hence my question

I'll contact tokyokid by PM

Thks

[chinabiker]

Hi FR

According to the AA Russia requires an IDP, while it is only recommended for Kyrg and Kaz. It can't be wrong to just get one with your French dl when you go to France next time.

[ZMC888]

Possibly you could try transferring your Chinese motorcycle license to a French license by post, then get an IDP by post. This may well not be possible however.

[French_Rider]

Sadly that's not possible, there is no transfer agreement between France and mainland China, only an agreement to let people use their national license in the other country. China has decided to do more and give me the chinese license but France is not obligated to do so

Maybe if I'm lucky and find a traffic bureau employee back in my hometown not well aware of the rule, but officially it's not possible.

That's why I'd like to know if I can drive all the way with a 中华人民共和国机动车驾驶证

[Jimbosidecar]

Your Chinese Driver's license is good for all of EU, but for Russia and any former Soviet Republics, you need an International License. You can get them in HKG or maybe there is a guy in Beijing that offers them. I rode from The Isle of Man to Beijing, on a bike with Chinese plates and had no difficulty at all, but only Russia and Mongolia wanted to see my Int'l Drivers License.
Regds,
Jim
www.bmwsidecar.com

Hi everyone

This question has been in my mind for some time now. I browsed the forum but havent seen this very question yet, so I post here.

I have a chinese license for cars and motorcycles and plans to get the side-car license soon (so now C1+E and wanna evolve into C1+D).

I know that I can drive with it in my country - France - with an official translation, thanks to a bilateral agreement (we let chinese drive with their license; China doesnt wanna let anyone drive with non-chinese licenses so step up and gives us the chinese one after a computer test).

So I know I'm good for both ends of a transcontinental trip, but I wonder for the countries in between (could be Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia, then Ukraine and Europe). My guess is that since China isnt part of the system for international license, and since its a major world player with a lot of cooperation with many countries, other countries may let people drive with chinese licenses on their soil (through bilateral agreements) and enjoy the possibility to be granted a chinese license and drive in the middle kingdom.

Does someone knows about it? and if yes about the conditions to enjoy such a right, and potentially if it increases custom troubles and demands for bribes?

Thanks

P.S. I cant get an international license using my french one, at least for motorcycles. After 2 years having a car license, france used to grant people a 125cc bike license. When I transfered it, the Beijing Traffic Bureau gave me motorycles (E). So basically I only have the motorcyle license in China...

[humanbeing]

Your Chinese Driver's license is good for all of EU, but for Russia and any former Soviet Republics, you need an International License. You can get them in HKG ...
Jim
www.bmwsidecar.com

HKG shut that "backdoor" in 2006

TD 051

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND FEE
When you submit your application, please produce the following documents:—
1. ...
your H.K. Identity Card (A photocopy of your identity document may be accepted and will be destroyed after the processing of your application);

[French_Rider]

Thanks Jim and Human Being...

So thats a sticky problem, there is no way around going through Russia and some of the former soviet states...

I heard that using HK as a proxy to get an IDD from a Chinese license required to be a HK resident. Thats better than having to be a citizen, but at the end of the day thats the same: I dont plan to be an HK resident anytime soon. Does anyone knows if "visa agencies" in HK can get me an IDD for a fee?

I am gonna dig that question on my side and come back post here if I find out something.

[humanbeing]

Thanks Jim and Human Being...

So thats a sticky problem, there is no way around going through Russia and some of the former soviet states...

I heard that using HK as a proxy to get an IDD from a Chinese license required to be a HK resident. Thats better than having to be a citizen, but at the end of the day thats the same: I dont plan to be an HK resident anytime soon. Does anyone knows if "visa agencies" in HK can get me an IDD for a fee?

I am gonna dig that question on my side and come back post here if I find out something.

NO "agencies" can get u a "real" HK IDP (u don't have HKid) but there's tons of "agency" can help u get the "real" HKDL/ DIY: send the required docs to TD is also NOT difficult.

Russia and some of the former soviet states are SUPER corrupt
ReAL HK DL (TD 063A / In theory needs HK address proof but it's easy: famous comapny/ organzation's envelope w/ name & HK address on it is enough -FRIENDS/关系 is very impotant, isn't it?) / if had chance stays in UK: the HK DL can transfer to UK dl w/o test) + fake HK IDP (It's easy get that done in Shenzhen's "办证" / DiY is also NOT difficult... eh -where's my expired "real" HK IDP ? I can borrow u as sample to DIY) seems works fine in there
(Be warned :If got caught carrying "fake HK IDP" in civilized world-- "HK", u will have serious trouble!!!)