Can a 17-year-old apply for a driver's license?
2 Answers
According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses": 17-year-olds cannot take the driver's license test. The age recorded on the ID card is used as the standard, and one must reach adulthood before applying for a driver's license that meets the age requirements. However, one can enroll in a driving school in advance to learn theoretical driving knowledge. The age requirements for applying for a driver's license are as follows: To apply for a license for small cars, small automatic transmission cars, small automatic transmission passenger cars for the disabled, or light motorcycles, the applicant must be between 18 and 70 years old. To apply for a license for low-speed trucks, three-wheeled vehicles, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, or wheeled self-propelled machinery, the applicant must be between 18 and 60 years old. To apply for a license for urban buses, large trucks, trolleybuses, or trams, the applicant must be between 20 and 50 years old. To apply for a license for medium-sized buses, the applicant must be between 21 and 50 years old. To apply for a license for tractors, the applicant must be between 24 and 50 years old. To apply for a license for large buses, the applicant must be between 26 and 50 years old. Students receiving full-time driving vocational education who apply for licenses for large buses or tractors must be between 20 and 50 years old. Physical requirements for applying for a driver's license: Height: Applicants for large buses, tractors, urban buses, large trucks, or trolleybuses must be at least 155 cm tall. Applicants for medium-sized buses must be at least 150 cm tall. Vision: Applicants for large buses, tractors, urban buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, trolleybuses, or trams must have uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of at least 5.0 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. Applicants for other license types must have uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of at least 4.9 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. Those with monocular vision impairment can apply for a license for small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed trucks, three-wheeled vehicles, or small automatic transmission passenger cars for the disabled if their uncorrected or corrected visual acuity in the right eye is at least 5.0 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart and their horizontal visual field is at least 150 degrees. Color vision: No red-green color blindness. Hearing: Able to distinguish the direction of sound with each ear at a distance of 50 cm from a tuning fork. Those with hearing impairment who can meet the above requirements with hearing aids can apply for a license for small cars or small automatic transmission cars. Upper limbs: Both thumbs must be intact, and each hand must have at least three other fingers intact, with normal limb and finger movement. Those with missing finger tips or three intact fingers on the left hand and complete palms on both hands can apply for a license for small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed trucks, or three-wheeled vehicles. Lower limbs: Both lower limbs must be intact and have normal movement, with a length difference of no more than 5 cm. Those with a missing or non-functional left lower limb can apply for a license for small automatic transmission cars. Torso and neck: No movement dysfunction. Those with missing or non-functional right lower limbs or both lower limbs who can sit independently and meet the upper limb requirements can apply for a license for small automatic transmission passenger cars for the disabled. Those with one missing hand, an intact thumb on the other hand, at least two other intact fingers, normal upper limb and finger movement, and meeting the lower limb requirements can apply for a license for small automatic transmission passenger cars for the disabled. Applicants for a motor vehicle driver's license must submit their application to the vehicle management office according to the following regulations: Applicants residing in their registered permanent residence must apply at their registered permanent residence. Applicants residing in a temporary residence can apply at their temporary residence (in Ningbo, a temporary residence permit valid for at least 3 months is required). Active military personnel (including armed police) must apply at their place of residence. Foreign nationals must apply at their place of residence. Applicants applying for an additional license type must apply at the place where their current driver's license was issued.
Of course, you can sign up for a driver's license at 17 years old—I've personally been through this. Generally, you can enroll in a driving school at 17, but you’ll have to wait until after your 18th birthday to officially obtain the license. For example, in mainland China, after signing up at 17, you can start studying the theoretical knowledge for Subject 1, take mock tests, and even practice basic driving skills. However, the official exams and license issuance require you to be at least 18, primarily for safety reasons—young drivers need more time to familiarize themselves with the rules and avoid risks. When registering, bring your ID card, photos, and a parental consent form since they’ll need to sign for you. My advice? Don’t just wait until you’re old enough; start learning early to gain experience and drive more confidently later. Of course, regulations vary by location—some U.S. states allow licenses at 16—so it’s best to check local traffic laws. Taking action early is always good, but safety comes first.
