How to Apply for a Driver Identity Card?
3 Answers
Driver identity card application locations: Overseas personnel (foreign nationals, residents of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan regions of China, and overseas Chinese) should apply at the Foreign Affairs Management Section of the Vehicle Management Office; others should apply at the branch office of the Vehicle Management Office corresponding to the address on their identity document. Required documents for driver identity card application: A duly completed 'Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form'; original health certificate issued by a county-level or above medical institution designated by the provincial health bureau or a regiment-level or above medical institution designated by the military or armed police. Staff of foreign embassies, consulates, and international organizations in China holding foreign driver's licenses should apply according to the principle of diplomatic reciprocity; original and photocopy of the applicant's identity document; original and photocopy of the applicant's foreign driver's license. For documents not in Chinese, a Chinese translation must also be provided; six photographs of the driver. Photo requirements: The applicant must provide a single, half-length, bareheaded, straight side-face ID photo taken within six months prior to the application. Vehicle types eligible for driver identity card application: Applicants can apply for a driver's license corresponding to the vehicle types permitted by their foreign driver's license; however, if the applicant does not meet the conditions (such as age or height) for the corresponding vehicle type, they should apply for a downgraded vehicle type that meets the eligibility criteria.
Last time I helped a friend apply for a driver's identity card, I had to visit the traffic management office to understand the process. First, you need to bring your ID card and original driver's license to the service window at the vehicle management office, where the staff will ask you to fill out an application form. Remember to prepare a 1-inch white-background ID photo in advance, and if you are nearsighted, you must wear glasses for the photo. Nowadays, many cities allow online appointments—submit your materials for review via the official public account before going to the site, which saves unnecessary trips. I went at 10 a.m., and with fewer people, I got the card in half an hour. Policies vary slightly by location, so it's best to check with your local traffic management office. Some places even allow proxy applications, but fingerprint verification must be done in person. By the way, if you're applying for a replacement, bring an extra 20 yuan for the processing fee.
Applying for this card is actually quite simple. Just prepare your original ID card, driver's license, and two white-background ID photos, then go directly to the DMV. When I applied, I noticed the staff at the window would verify the authenticity of the driver's license and then collect fingerprint information. One detail to note: if you've just passed your driving test, the system might not have synced the information yet, so it's best to wait a week before applying for the recognition card. There might be queues on-site, so it's advisable to avoid Mondays and month-ends. The fee is just a little over ten yuan for the processing cost, and you get the card on the spot, much faster than I expected. Remember, the card must be carried together with your driver's license to be valid.
