How to Exchange a Hong Kong Driver's License for a Mainland China Driver's License?
3 Answers
To exchange a Hong Kong driver's license for a mainland China driver's license, you need to fill out the "Application Form for Exemption from Test and Issuance of Mainland China Official Driver's License." Below are the relevant details: 1. Required documents: One copy and the original of your driver's license, one copy of your ID card, one copy of your Home Return Permit, three photos required for the new driver's license, and a "Temporary Residence Registration Form for Non-Local Residents" issued by the local Public Security Bureau. 2. Important notes: According to current Chinese law, any Hong Kong vehicle license/driver's license can only be exchanged for a mainland China Class C license at most. A Class C license refers to China's current small car driver's license (C1 for manual transmission, C2 for automatic transmission), and the Class E license is for light motorcycles.
I recently helped a friend with the procedure of exchanging a Hong Kong driver's license for a mainland one, and the process is actually quite straightforward. First, you need to prepare your Hong Kong and Macau travel permit, the original and photocopy of your Hong Kong driver's license, a residence permit or temporary residence certificate, and undergo a driver's medical examination at a local top-tier hospital. The most crucial step is passing the subject one exam, which covers mainland traffic regulations. It's recommended to practice with the 'Driving Test Treasure' app beforehand. After passing the exam, submit your documents at the vehicle management office and pay a 10 yuan fee to obtain your mainland driver's license. Remember, your Hong Kong driver's license must have been held for at least one year to be eligible for exchange, so those who just got their Hong Kong license will need to wait. The entire process typically requires about three trips to the vehicle management office, and booking an appointment in advance via the 12123 app can save a lot of queuing time.
Last time I went to the Shenzhen Vehicle Management Office, I saw many Hong Kong license plate owners processing driver's license conversion. I asked the staff and found the procedure quite standardized. You must bring your Hong Kong ID card and Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents. Special attention should be paid to the fact that the driver's license translation must be done by a designated translation agency. It's very considerate that you can choose a traditional Chinese version for the subject one test, which costs 50 yuan. Going through the test questions a few times in advance usually ensures a pass. During the process, I met an aunt who made a wasted trip because she didn’t bring her residence certificate, so everyone should remember to check the material checklist in advance. The Vehicle Management Office usually takes 3 working days to issue the license, and expedited service requires an additional fee.
