Hi I have a British driver's license, but I need to clarify about using a car here. Expats chums have been giving me different answers.

I want to go on a road trip outside Shanghai. If I rent a car can I use my British driver's license to rent one?

If not then when getting a Chinese driver's license, is it only a paper test I need to take? or do I have to do a paper test & practical test?

Also, where can I rent a car from a reliable company? (car just needs to be road safe, with air con, nothing fancy) and how much for a day?

Hope someone knows the answer to this. Cheers!

Do a search, mate. On your left, and on this site. All the answers are there, as well as some recommended hire companies.

I believe if you have a foreign drivers license, that has 6 months or more left in it, you will not have to sit a practical, but will have a written test, where 100 questions are taken out of 1500, and you will need to get 90% correct. (some have been known to take the answers with them to the exam).
Have a read of computer solutions information.

Alien driving licence from any other planets is not allowed. You need to convert it a official chinese licence. No licence, no car. To be able to sit for the test, you need a z visa. When that's done, (could take ages) renting a car will be a breeze, though driving here is definately no breeze at ALL. The rental cost here may be in the region between 400 - 600rmb per day at least..hope this helps.

I looked at this carefully when I first came to China and decided that public transportation was a much better option for me and I would occasionally rent a car and driver when it was needed.

Yes you can, but you may not. There are a few exceptions and UK is not one of them.

Renovator wrote:Yes you can, but you may not. There are a few exceptions and UK is not one of them.

NO you cannot, you need a Chinese drivers licence and you need a resident permit (work visa) to get it.

You can hire a car WITH a driver

http://tinyurl.com/yfbaavk

tihZ_hO wrote:

Renovator wrote:Yes you can, but you may not. There are a few exceptions and UK is not one of them.

NO you cannot, you need a Chinese drivers licence and you need a resident permit (work visa) to get it.

You can hire a car WITH a driver

http://tinyurl.com/yfbaavk

Of course you can. What will stop you physically from driving a car on any license or no license at all. I do agree that it is against the law to do so and as you will see in my statement I added that although you can, you may not.

Renovator wrote:

tihZ_hO wrote:

Renovator wrote:Yes you can, but you may not. There are a few exceptions and UK is not one of them.

NO you cannot, you need a Chinese drivers licence and you need a resident permit (work visa) to get it.

You can hire a car WITH a driver

http://tinyurl.com/yfbaavk

Of course you can. What will stop you physically from driving a car on any license or no license at all. I do agree that it is against the law to do so and as you will see in my statement I added that although you can, you may not.

(there's always one isn't there?)

If you put it that way, yes. There also is nothing stopping anyone from running Xintaindi around naked while waving their package around either.

Sorry, but you need to take the driving test and written test.
This is because you drive on the opposite side of the road.
Can't rent a car without a Chinese license and RP.
Unless you can read Chinese road signs, speak fluently or travel with a local - forget it.
Too expensive to consider renting a car here.

best to just to rent a car with a driver...

yu888 wrote:best to just to rent a car with a driver...

How much would I need to fork out to use a "safe" driver and "safe" car for a weekend?

No your UK license is not valid here. Ether is your international license.
Yes you can get a Chinese license just follow the instructions on this website.
No you dont have to take a driving test and No you dont have to speak or read & write Chinese (but best if you can speak some Chinese).
Yes you do have to take a lame ass written test in bad English.
Yes you can go on a road trip.
No you can not drive into the Forbidden Palace and also No you cant drive a SUV on the great wall even if you have 4 wheel drive.

Any questions?