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#1 Temporary driving license...really only for cars?03-21-2009, 12:22 AM
I was checking this out........
http://www.4panda.com/special/drive/t-driver.htm
I was thinking would it really be impossible for a foreigner to actually obtain a temporary driving license for motorcycle? It appears there are license categories on the license application.
It appears to me that the procedure is identical to to a permanent license, except at the end you have a license only valid for 3 months.
Maybe it's a serious hassle studying for the multi-choice, doing the medical having the photos done, and license translation, it's hardly what you want to do....spend up to a week doing bureaucracy before you set off, but it appears that being legal is at least theoretically possible, and people telling others that they can't legally ride in China is actually wrong!
I might ask about this at my local PSB, if this is possible...the ZMC can then help people fully legally, with no risk of upsetting Andy!
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03-21-2009, 03:36 AM
I like your thinking here, and I do believe it's possible for a foreigner to get a temp, but not in all cities.
I seem to recall that the temporary license can only be issued to those with an automobile rental contract, or those registered for an official tour. There are several companies that run motorcycle tours in China and they all advertise a temporary license (90 days) being issued for the trip.
Good overview here http://www.ontheroadinchina.com/driving_in_china
I'm sure Andy can enlighten us on this
Cheers!
ChinaV
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03-21-2009, 08:03 AMI am watching this thread with much interest. Any ideas which cities are more forthcoming in issuing licences?
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03-21-2009, 09:47 AM
Well, it won't hurt to ask at the local PSB, as the laws can change quickly in China! As every province is administered differently, so not to dismiss the possibility of doing this where I am, or in a larger city such as Qingdao. Also we shouldn't forget how many Taiwanese and Koreans there can be here. Of course they largely go unnoticed by us and the local Chinese, but don't forget that they also do these processes regularly too.
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03-21-2009, 12:19 PM
I've had a temporary...........in Shanghai, first licence I got, didn't cost the $150-250 that the link you posted suggested.
When I applied and asked if I could get a D endorsement I was categorically told it was not valid for anything other than a passenger car...........and it was valid for a year.
Sure the rules and regulations could have changed again and then again once more. TIC.
I believe the Temporary Licences that allow you to ride a bike are available when you join an organised tour.........you are essentially renting a vehicle and thus are granted a licence under the "rental vehicle" part of the regulation and that it is up to the province to determine the "vehicle" part of the regulation. As with everything else that determination will probably change with status...... IE the tour company pays a "premium" for the consideration of the determination of the regulation. A regular punter in off the street wanting a temporary licence to ride a bike might not be shown the same courtesy.
I think it's a situation of who you know rather than what you know. I'll be pleased to be proven wrong but so far I've seen nothing that says a temp bike licence is available for just anyone.
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03-22-2009, 09:52 AM
I'll try to .
It is definitely possible to obtain a temporary dl for motorcycles. The procedure is pretty straightforward.
Participating in a race, performance show, or cultural exchange event is one way to a temporary dl - no wonder why all the real bike rentals are registered under the cultural exchange thing. There aren't many real rentals or organized tour organizers btw.
Another way is the good old Guanxi, easier once the channel is established
I am doing a trial run (both ways) on a temp dl at the moment and will try to keep you updated.Andy
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03-23-2009, 12:27 AMOriginally Posted by someone on the HUBB
Us long termers here should try to assist people who want to ride here, and do everything we can to help fellow riders be as legal as possible, and avoid the above from happening, whether we do this ourselves hands-on or just help people to deal with Chinese bureaucracy and give good advice about the procedures for being legal on the web.
I doubt the local Chinese would have any objection as they won't lose any money and could gain some money!
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03-23-2009, 08:16 AMOriginally Posted by Someone
I've been living in Jiangsu and regularly riding my scooter across the border for the last 6 months. I've been stopped just once at the PSB checkpoint on the 318, and they merely pointed at my lack of a proper plate then sent me on my way. My other foreign friends and I are trying to get our licenses together for motorcycles and we're hoping to go down for the test in Wujiang sometime either this week or next. We have full residence permits so we believe it should be possible.
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03-23-2009, 10:16 AM
I wasn't suggesting that people should ride without documentation
I'm saying that there are people out there who believe that riding without documentation is fine, and the word is spreading. I'm not one of them. Perhaps read the thread more carefully?
What I have noticed in the past, and this is just my opinion is that there are lots of long term people who detest the fact that some people come to China and ride illegally/partially legally. However people who don't have residency visas have been told repeatedly that it's not legal for them to ride here at all, and that they should not, but this information may be incorrect. These same long term residents have also done very little to keep up to date with the latest driving and riding laws, and have also done very little to help anyone.
So rather than do nothing my opinion is that long term residents (of which I am one) who ride in China should learn current laws and use our connections to try to help experienced riders who want to come to China to ride do so legally if this is possible.
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