I have not found any thread on this in the archives

How can I get an International Driver's license in Shanghai? Or, Hong Kong, if it's easier there. Anything additional/special I need to know?

I have a valid USA driver's license now and I do not have a China driver's license.

I need to get this done next week

You can only get an International Drivers License back home or at your Embassy here in Shanghai.

No matter what you have to get a Chinese Drivers License sooner or later and I recommend sooner (before they change the rules)

All you have to do is finding a driving school and they will make sure you can have the written test (in English of course) and the driving test pretty quickly, but you need to go to the doctor for a health inspection (you can't transfer your license into a Chinese one - unfortunately)

You can even pay the driving school to take the written test for you

I wrote about my experience getting "converting" my driver's licence here in Shanghai, in my blog:
http://senseimichael.com/2006/07/06/get ... -shanghai/

actually, my US one is about to expire, and the US recognizes international licenses, one can not go back to the US with a drivers license!

but, thanks for the info!

Then you need to renew your U.S. license. An international driver's license is only good in conjunction with a valid driver's license from your home country.

its not an international drivers license... its actually an International Drivers Permit (IDP). it is to be used in conjuction with a current drivers license from the issuing country. so relying solely on the IDP means nothing.