C1.1 Chinese Driving Licence¶
Driving in Great Britain with a Chinese Licence (2025)
Official Link: https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence/y/a-foreign-student-studying-in-great-britain/non-european-union
A Chinese national studying in Britain can drive or hire a car in Great Britain for 12 months using a valid, full driving licence issued in their home country or an International Driving Permit. This 12-month period starts from the day you first enter Britain.
Reminder: This is a one-time allowance. For example, if you studied for your undergraduate degree in the UK, returned to China for several years, and then came back to study for a Master's degree, you would not be eligible for another 12-month period. It only applies from the date of your first entry. After this 12-month period expires, you must apply for a provisional British driving licence and display L-plates on your vehicle. You will need to book and pass the Great Britain driving test.
Reminder: Until you pass the test, whenever you drive, you must be accompanied by a friend who holds a full driving licence, and you cannot drive on motorways. If your car is over three years old, it must be insured, registered, taxed, and have a valid MOT certificate.
Driving licences in England, Scotland, and Wales are generally issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). If you hold a licence issued in China, you need to confirm whether it can be used and its validity period.
In summary:
Anyone with a non-EU licence or an International Driving Permit can drive legally in Britain for 12 months.
Designated countries or territories:
Residents of Britain can exchange their original licence for a full British licence without taking a test, provided they do so within 5 years of becoming a resident.
These "designated countries or territories" include: Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Moldova, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.Individuals from 'non-designated' countries or territories, or those without a licence, need to take the test:
(1) First, you must apply for a British provisional driving licence.
(2) You must have been resident in Britain for at least 6 months before you are eligible to take the British driving test.
(3) You can apply for a full British licence only after passing the test.
So, can you just use a Chinese driving licence to drive in Britain?
Although Chinese driving licences contain some English text, they are not recognised on their own and are considered invalid for direct use abroad. A friend of mine mentioned they drove around Britain using just their Chinese licence without any issues. However, that's because they have never been stopped by the police or encountered any problems – their luck has been remarkably good! I can only say, "Blimey, mate, share some of that luck with me!"
You need to get your licence translated by an officially recognised translation service in the UK, for example, by finding a translator through the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL: www.ciol.org.uk) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI: www.iti.org.uk) websites. Alternatively, you can go to a local Chinese notary public office (gongzheng chu). Notary offices provide both translation and notarisation services. They are slightly more expensive, but the process is quick and highly credible – you can usually get the document in about 3 days, or the next day if you pay for an express service.
It is not recommended to translate it yourself. Another friend of mine said they used a translation service from Taobao. Some British police officers may not accept such translations and might give you a hard time, focusing heavily on checking your documents, insurance, etc., and asking many questions before potentially letting you go.
Therefore, if you are in China, it's best to get everything done at a notary public office or another officially recognised translation agency. Visa application centres also often offer translation services. Be aware that some notary offices outsource their translations to other companies (remember to check for any spelling mistakes once you receive it). If you don't use their translation service, the notary office might insist you have your translation 'verified' by their affiliated agency, which is expensive and, well, you know how it sometimes goes.
If you are already in the UK, you can google "Chinese driving licence translation UK". You can also go to a solicitor's firm, the Chinese embassy, or a recognised translation agency. Solicitor's firms are widespread in the UK; just search for them on Google Maps. Google Maps is incredibly powerful there; being without it in Britain can make you feel completely lost. Most reputable solicitor's firms can provide certified translations.
If you plan to hire a car in the UK, ask the rental company beforehand if they require a translated licence and if they have any specific requirements. Check if they provide this service for free or not. Always bring your passport and your original driving licence. One friend mentioned that when they hired a car in the UK, they weren't asked for a translation – just their passport and Chinese licence. However, another friend was required to provide a certified translation by a specific rental company. So, it's simpler and safer to get one translated and certified to be prepared for any situation.