Is a residence permit still required to obtain a driver's license in Chengdu?
2 Answers
Chengdu requires a residence permit for obtaining a driver's license, which is mandatory for non-local residents. The requirements for residence permits are becoming increasingly strict, with a lengthy processing time. Registration is only permitted if all conditions are met, and the permit application can begin after six months of registration. The processing takes 20 working days, approximately one month, making the fastest possible completion time seven months in total. Applicants must first register their residence before applying for a residence permit. A residence permit can only be applied for after six months of residence registration. Required documents: 1. Resident ID card or other valid identity proof (original); 2. One of the following proofs of residential address: property ownership certificate (purchase contract if the property certificate is not yet obtained), house rental registration record, rental contract, or accommodation certificate. Application methods: 1. On-site application: Bring the required documents to the local police station for application. 2. Collection point application: Submit the documents at the community or village committee's mobile population information collection point. 3. Online self-application: Log in to the Sichuan Mobile Population Information Registration System via WeChat, PC, or APP, or follow the 'Rong Police Service' section link on the 'Ping An Chengdu' WeChat official account, or scan the QR code below via WeChat to access the information registration platform and submit the required information truthfully.
I took my driver's license test in Chengdu last year, and I was also worried about whether a residence permit was required. Later, I found out that since 2022, the policy has been relaxed, and the traditional residence permit is no longer needed. If you have a local household registration, just bring your ID card to the driving school to register—it's super simple. For non-local household registrations, there’s one extra step: first, go to the nearest police station to complete a residence registration, and they will issue you a certificate to replace the residence permit. The whole process took me less than two weeks, and the driving school instructor even helped organize the materials. I recommend preparing a medical examination report and photos in advance to avoid making multiple trips. The policy change really saves time and effort—previously, you had to wait for the residence permit approval, but now you can just go directly to register without worrying about delays in getting your driver's license.
