Can minors obtain a driver's license?
2 Answers
Individuals under the age of 18 cannot obtain a driver's license. According to the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses' of the People's Republic of China, the minimum age requirement is 18 years old. Article 13 of the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses' stipulates that applicants for motor vehicle driving licenses must meet the following conditions: (1) Age requirements: 1. Applicants for small cars, small automatic transmission cars, or light motorcycles must be at least 18 years old and under 70 years old. 2. Applicants for low-speed trucks, three-wheeled cars, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, or wheeled self-propelled machinery must be at least 18 years old and under 60 years old. 3. Applicants for city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, trolleybuses, or trams must be at least 21 years old and under 50 years old. 4. Applicants for medium-sized buses must be at least 21 years old and under 50 years old. 5. Applicants for tractors must be at least 24 years old and under 50 years old. 6. Applicants for large buses must be at least 26 years old and under 50 years old. 7. Students receiving full-time driving vocational education who apply for large buses or tractors must be at least 20 years old and under 50 years old.
As a parent, I understand that children are always curious about driving, but I must emphasize that Chinese law prohibits minors from obtaining a driver's license. You must be at least 18 years old to apply. I have personal experience with this—my 15-year-old son once asked if he could learn to drive, and I had to patiently explain the safety considerations behind this rule: young people lack experience, their judgment isn't fully developed, and they are more prone to distractions or misjudging risks while driving, leading to higher accident rates. My advice to minors is not to rush into getting a license. Instead, they can start by using mobile apps to study traffic rules, such as the questions for the theoretical test (Subject 1), or watch online driving tutorial videos. These free resources can help build a solid foundation, making their formal driving school training more efficient once they turn 18. Safety comes first, and developing good habits early is crucial for their future driving careers. Also, remember to discuss road safety stories with your children to raise their awareness.
