What are the differences between a Shanghai driver's license and an out-of-town driver's license?
3 Answers
Shanghai driver's license and out-of-town driver's license have the following differences: Different issuing authorities: The issuing authority for the Shanghai "Motor Vehicle Driver's License" is the Shanghai Vehicle Management Office, while the issuing authority for out-of-town "Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" is the local vehicle management office. Different difficulties in applying for an international driver's license: Applying for a temporary international driver's license is relatively easier in Shanghai because it is an international metropolis, and drivers here are considered by foreigners to have proficient driving skills. An international driving permit must be used together with the national driver's license to be valid. It is more difficult or even impossible to apply for an international driver's license with an out-of-town license. When driving in a country where the language of the driver's license is not the official language of that country, the international driving permit can help drivers overcome language barriers with local authorities such as police during travel abroad.
I've always used a driver's license issued in Shanghai, and it feels no different from my friends' out-of-town licenses. Whether driving on Nanjing Road or in the suburbs, the freedom on the road is the same, and traffic rules are followed as usual. The only slight difference comes when handling violations: if an out-of-town license is caught by traffic cameras in Shanghai, you have to go to a designated spot to process the ticket, which is time-consuming; with a local license, you might just handle it with a few taps on an app, saving a lot of hassle. Also, if you exceed the penalty points limit, you have to return to the issuing location to attend traffic courses, which is exhausting with all the back-and-forth. As a Didi driver, I often hear out-of-town car owners complaining about this inconvenience during peak hours, so I recommend those living long-term in Shanghai to switch to a Shanghai license early to avoid unnecessary hassle. As for exam fees, getting a license in Shanghai might cost a few hundred yuan more, but once you have it, it's valid nationwide just the same. Driving safety is the top priority—no matter what license you hold, you must follow the rules.
As a driver with over ten years of experience, my driver's license was issued in Jiangsu but I've been using it in Shanghai for years. The main differences lie in administrative details: when renewing the license, I must provide a Shanghai temporary residence permit, requiring extra trips to the local police station; if traffic violation points exceed 12, I must return to my place of origin to retake the test, which takes a week. In contrast, Shanghai local license renewals are faster, with electronic systems directly updating tickets and points. For daily driving, whether on highways or in urban areas, the two licenses function identically, but there's slightly less policy convenience. I advise friends from other regions to check local traffic authority requirements and transfer their licenses promptly to prevent unexpected situations like delayed tickets affecting insurance. Overall, laws and regulations remain unchanged, but operational methods vary due to regional optimizations.
