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Before driving yourself abroad, confirm whether the place accepts a Chinese driver's license; most "international driving permits" sold online are worthless paper

  • Top value
  • Evidence A
  • Keeps you free
  • Free
  • Takes minutes
  • No willpower

In plain words

An "international driving permit" arranged online does not exist in mainland China. That booklet is a translation recognized among the parties to the 1949 Geneva convention, and among its 103 parties mainland China is not one. So whoever arranges one for you in China, it has no legal effect. Whether you may drive with a Chinese license depends on the destination's own rules, and if you haven't confirmed, don't drive.

Cost

Free. Check the destination's rules once before you leave.

What you get

The so-called "international driving permit" (IDP) is a translation recognized among the states party to the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic. This convention was concluded in Geneva on September 19, 1949 and took effect on March 26, 1952. There are currently 103 parties (the countries and regions that signed). Mainland China is not on this list. So China does not issue this kind of international permit. Any "international driving permit service" in China produces no legal effect. Whether you can drive with a Chinese license depends on the rules of the destination country or region: some recognize a Chinese license with a notarized translation, some require you to exchange it for a local license, and some do not recognize it at all.

Notes

In most countries, driving without a license is a crime or draws a heavy fine. And if there is an accident, the insurer will very likely refuse to pay, which is the real cost. There are two ways to check the law: on the China Consular Service website (中国领事服务网) find the "notes for Chinese citizens" for the destination country, or ask the car rental company for written confirmation. Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and some countries have separate arrangements.

Evidence grade
A : Specific numbers from meta-analyses, large cohorts or randomized trials; for law and policy, the statute or official text.
Sources
  1. United Nations Treaty Collection. Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva, 19 September 1949 — status of treaties. https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&clang=_en

Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 21, tip 8. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer