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Can I drive in China?

Shanghai Expat Forum Index » City Living Forums » Relocation and Moving

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mdm0515

Newbie

Joined: July 06, 2005
Posts: 4

Status: Offline

Posted: July 16, 2005 - 06:47 PM
Post subject: Can I drive in China?

Hi,

Am I as an expat America allowed to buy a car and drive in China for the 3 years I will be there? Can my wife also drive?

Thanks much!

Matt

nch1976

Talker

Joined: Aug 27, 2004
Posts: 87

Status: Offline

Posted: July 16, 2005 - 08:25 PM

Matt, yes, you can buy a car and drive in Shanghai. Two things, one, it will be difficult for you to get a car loan if you do not own real estate. Two, you will need a local driver license. It's not hard to get one but it is a hassle. If you have a U.S. license, then you will only need to take a written exam with about 100 questions. The DMV (or whatever they call it), will give you a list with all the answers on them for you to study.

This only applies to Shanghai and I am not sure about other cities. Good luck!

hydra1

Lurker

Joined: July 23, 2004
Posts: 31

Status: Offline

Posted: July 17, 2005 - 11:04 AM

You can, but with the congestion, the unusal driving patterns, problems with parking and the inexpensive taxis, Why??

itaye

Reacher

Joined: Oct 22, 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: July 17, 2005 - 01:50 PM

1) to move out of the city
2) to be in time at the place were you have to go also when its rainy or very hot
3) for the very simple pleasure to drive around, without any special place to go

chinalounge

Squeeker

Joined: July 23, 2004
Posts: 12
Location: Shanghai since sept '05
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 06, 2005 - 05:47 PM

Did you make it to buy a car and drive in China? I am French am will relocate to Sh in sept. Like you, I would appreciate to have the pleasure of driving around without the hassle to get a taxi...
See you

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telemoon

Seeker

Joined: Apr 17, 2003
Posts: 66

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 10, 2005 - 01:42 PM

sure, you can. if you need a loan, the car dealer will normally take care of it for you. To get a local driver's lincense is easy. If you're well prepared, it can be done within a day. The only problem you may have is to understand the Chinglish test material they provide to you and interpret it correctly into English.
One more thing, since most of the Chinese don't really know how to drive, you may have to be very very careful while you are on the road...

OrangePJ

Talker

Joined: Aug 01, 2005
Posts: 90
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 10, 2005 - 02:42 PM

telemoon wrote:

One more thing, since most of the Chinese don't really know how to drive, you may have to be very very careful while you are on the road...

He said he was french. Means he is used to people driving like crazy Very Happy

I think getting the license plate is more difficult than getting the drivers license. Certainly more expensive... License plates are auctioned every month with an average price of 30-40,000 RMB I think.

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wildstar

Reacher

Joined: May 15, 2005
Posts: 224
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 10, 2005 - 02:54 PM

I've been looking into getting a car...

I've found I can't get a car loan without own real estate (and as a foreigner, you need a 40% down payment to get a real estate loan!). The license plates are averaging $4000 USD in each auction, so that's a bit of a downer.

In addition to a myriad of other issues with OWNING a car in China (like on-site negotiations in the event of a fender-bender, insurance, etc), I've looked into leasing a car.

However, to lease a car, you usually sign a 2-year deal. But they want to depreciate almost the ENTIRE value of the car over those 2 years... so for a $20-25,000 USD car, the price they quote is about $1200 per month. On the other hand, this does include insurance, a phone number in case of an accident, and the license plate.

So needless to say, I'm still taking taxi's...

didarx79

Raver

Joined: Mar 23, 2005
Posts: 429
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 10, 2005 - 03:37 PM

you might as well spend the time and energy practicing how to elbow off other people when fighting for a taxi on rainy days. j/k la~

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7+ years in Shanghai.

trip

Barker

Joined: Feb 03, 2005
Posts: 180
Location: Closer
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 10, 2005 - 05:20 PM

I would also check into liability laws in case of accidents... This might be a sticky one for us laowai!

Trip----

OrangePJ

Talker

Joined: Aug 01, 2005
Posts: 90
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 10, 2005 - 05:29 PM

Quote:

the price they quote is about $1200 per month.

Sounds very expensive... You should get a car and a driver for that price. I think the price for a car (the VW type you see all the time) with a driver varies somewhere between 7-10,000 RMB/month

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wildstar

Reacher

Joined: May 15, 2005
Posts: 224
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 10, 2005 - 05:44 PM

I was looking at the Hyundai Coupe or the Mazda 6... both fairly inexpensive, but better than a Santana 2000... that's a tin can on training wheels.

janlynn
Wonder Wit

Joined: July 19, 2005
Posts: 3868

Posted: Aug 18, 2005 - 09:53 AM

I just got my license! They only ask 20 of the 100 study questions and they are chosen randomly by computer, which is also how you take the test. you need 80% to pass. The test is in English and the only Chinese you need to read is Xia for next question. The Computer tells you the score so you know before you leave the computer whether you pass. BTW people are offering to "help" you for money. Some of them know less than you. One thing to do is get a Chinese name complete with spelling. It goes on your license so you might have it written down in Characters. If you speak no Chinese, you probably want a person with you who speaks some. I am very limited but knew enough to go from line to line. I dont plan on owning but want the ability to drive

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imafan2

Barker

Joined: Aug 18, 2005
Posts: 157

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 21, 2005 - 01:56 AM

Quote:

However, to lease a car, you usually sign a 2-year deal. But they want to depreciate almost the ENTIRE value of the car over those 2 years... so for a $20-25,000 USD car, the price they quote is about $1200 per month. On the other hand, this does include insurance, a phone number in case of an accident, and the license plate.

This may not be that bad a deal. Anyone know if there's a buyout option at the end of the lease....and what would they quote for the buyout considering that they almost depreciate the entire value of the car.

PSX

imafan2

Barker

Joined: Aug 18, 2005
Posts: 157

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 21, 2005 - 11:38 PM

Found my own answer on http://http://metropolis-sh.com/metropolis026.htm

Leasing requires a refundable deposit of 10,000 yuan (US$1,200) to 30,000 yuan (US$3,600) depending on the type of car and the lease period. Compared buying versus leasing for a Santana 2000, the car is priced at 165,000 yuan (US$19,900) and the price rises to about 220,000 yuan (US$26,500) once taxes, insurance and the license plate are added.

Should you lease the same car, you would pay a total of 263,000 yuan (US$32,000). But while the total cost is higher, the lessee is spared the high capital costs, and pays just 7,300 yuan (US$880) per month. At the end of the lease, the lessee can buy the car outright for 2,000 yuan (US$240).

PSX

Sambo

Barker

Joined: June 21, 2005
Posts: 181

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 31, 2005 - 03:59 PM

Hi Lurker

I think i replied to another of your posts regarding working here...have you been to Shanghai yet?

If not, you may want to put a hold on your plans to drive until you have experienced the lunacy that is Shanghai 'driving'...mirrors simply aren't used, ever...drivers simply pull out without indicating or even checking to see the 10 ton juggernaut in the next lane....instead, horns are employed liberally and not in anger, they are essential to warn any upcoming (and often oncoming) traffic that you are within 2 feet and that pulling out might endanger both your and their lives...

Getting ahead of anyone and any vehicle is the key to successful driving...don't assume that the bus will move for you - he will happily carve you up if it means he has got to be in front. This is a battle of wills to be won at all costs and will add a zippy dimension to any journey.

Cyclists - however reckless and apparently suicidal their meandering may be, if you hit 'em it'll be your fault...hence the devil-may-care attitude of many.

In short, you have got to be mad (or indeed French) to want to actively join in the scrum that is Shanghai traffic. I've seen the odd westerner driving, but they are probably on lithium. I admire your bravery for even contemplating it.