1. Application for Vehicle License

Application for the license for motor vehicle, either imported from abroad or purchased in China, must be made to the local Public Security Bureau with the following documents:

(1) Approving document issued by the Customs for the motor vehicle to be imported and the purchase invoice (and the quality certificate if the vehicle is purchased in China);
(2) The Insurance Policy for the Third-party Liability issued by an insurance company;
(3) The Certificate of Inspection issued by the Entry and Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau;
(4) The completed Vehicle Registration Form stamped by the consular post;
(5) The certificate of the Foreign Affairs Office;
(6) The note of the consular post or the Identity Card issued by the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Department of Motor Vehicle Administration will review all the documents presented and examine the physical performance of the motor vehicle. The consular vehicle license (with the Chinese character "领" on the license plate) will be issued if the motor vehicle passes the examination.

2. Renewal of Vehicle License

If the motor vehicle needs to be driven on road after the expiry of the vehicle license, an application for renewal must be made to the Department of Motor Vehicle Administration within one week prior to the expiry date. In addition, the physical performance of the motor vehicle must be examined at the institution designated by the Department of Motor Vehicle Administration.

3. Application for and Replacement of Driving License

The member of the consular post may drive a motor vehicle in China only by holding the Motor Vehicle Driving License of the People's Republic of China issued by Department of Motor Vehicle Administration.

The member of the consular post holding the driving license issued by the sending state or the international driving license may, with his / her valid driving license and consular or service identity card, apply to the Department of Motor Vehicle Administration of the Public Security Bureau for replacement of his / her driving license into the Chinese driving license if he / she is physically fit for driving and well aware of the Chinese rules and regulations on road traffic as proved by required tests. Detailed information in this regard is available at the Department of Motor Vehicle Administration of the Public Security Bureau.

The member of the consular post without the driving license issued by the sending state or an international driving license may apply for the Chinese driving license if he / she can pass the physical check-up, the writing test of traffic rules and regulations and the road test after a series of coached training within the specified period of time.

4. Violation of Traffic Rules and Regulations

Any driver in China must observe the Administrative Regulations on Road Traffic of the People's Republic of China and other relevant rules, and follow the instructions and administration of the traffic police. In case of any violation of the traffic rules, one should be cooperative with the traffic police and present his / her driving license and identity card. In general, the traffic police will not hold in custody the motor vehicle with the consular vehicle license. If a member of the consular post is unable to continue driving because of violation of traffic rules, however, the traffic police may, for the safety of the public, keep the motor vehicle temporarily and request a representative of the consular post be sent for the solution of the problem thereof.

5. Traffic Accident

If any member of the consular post or the accompanying family member gets involved in a traffic accident while driving a motor vehicle, he / she should stop immediately to keep the site of accident as it is, rescue the wounded and call 122 for help. When the traffic police come to investigate at the site of accident, he / she should take the initiative to show his / her driving license and consular or service identity card and explain what has happened. He / she is strongly suggested not to leave the site of accident until the police finish the investigation on site and let him / her leave.

If the dispute on the responsibility for the traffic accident cannot be settled on site, he / she is strongly suggested to help the traffic police to take down the information of his / her identity card, license and contact address. In case of need to collect evidence for further investigation, the traffic police may temporarily keep the consular vehicle. Given the clear explanation, he / she is strongly suggested to cooperate with the police.

During the settlement of dispute on the responsibility for the traffic accident, it is strongly suggested that the member of the consular post or the accompanying family members involved be present for investigation at the place and at the time as required. If he / she cannot be present in person, he / she may answer, in writing, the question as required by the Department of Traffic Administration. If he / she refuses to provide any information as required, the Department of Traffic Administration will decide which party should be held responsible for the accident based on its investigation.

Editor: Wing