Slightly off-topic, slightly on-topic rant.

Re: China not recognizing overseas driving licenses.

I've been away from my home country (Canada) for a long time, as a non-resident (of Canada). Hence, my Canadian driving license expired several years ago (I couldn't renew it because I am a non-resident). I hold a 10 year China driving license (you get 10 years after one's initial 6 year expires, if one has been a good boy).

So, I am recently in Canada. British Columbia recognizes a Chinese driving license, and one can drive with it for 6 months (as a tourist) or 3 months (as a new resident), before needing to get a local DL. Further, I can easily exchange my Chinese driving license for a new BC driving license. I've heard the same exists for most (if not all) Canadian provinces and US states.

Interestingly, though, because China is not a party to the IDP convention, I cannot get an IDP in China. In fact, the Canadian police know that if they stop a Chinese person, who shows an IDP along with a Chinese DL, that the documents are most likely false (gee ... really? False documents out of China?). So, instead, there are these "official translators" who do a Chinese DL translation for 50 bucks. Still, I can drive around with my Chinese DL for several months, no problem.

Reciprocity? Hah! Yeah right.

So, I asked a local official (Beijing) about this ... his deadpan response was "well, Canadians won't have the special training & skills needed for driving in China." Seriously buddy? I kept my mouth shut, but felt like asking him ... Ever been to Richmond, BC, and seen all the Chinese drivers exercising their "special skills & training"?

Anyways, I doubt I will see it in my lifetime where China opens up and recognizes overseas driving licenses.