1. Age and experience

21+ to rent; 21-25 only sedans, not the Tank 300; 25+ all cars; no upper limit but we check health over 70. Hold your home licence for at least one year.

2. The licence question (most important)

China has not joined the UN Road Traffic Convention. Your home licence alone is not valid; the IDP (International Driving Permit) is not recognised; a notarised translation of your home licence alone is not enough. You need a Chinese temporary driving permit.

3. How the temporary permit works

Send us, 2-3 weeks before departure: passport main page, Chinese visa page, both sides of your home licence, one white-background ID photo. We apply at the vehicle management office: 1,500 CNY, you do not attend in person, 3-5 working days, valid 3 months. By regulation, foreign temporary driving permits can only be issued when a qualified outbound travel agency sponsors and guarantees you — a solo walk-in at the vehicle office is not accepted.

4. Visa

30-day visa-free entry applies to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Korea, most Schengen states, UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, UAE and others; you can still get the temporary permit under visa-free. Otherwise apply for an L tourist visa at your nearest Chinese embassy.

5. Money

No credit-card pre-authorisation. Deposit by WeChat/Alipay: Lavida/Jetta 3,000 CNY; Tank 300 5,000 CNY. Refunded 5-7 working days after return once fines are cleared. Carry 1,000-2,000 CNY cash for old petrol stations, toll booths that do not scan, and small parking lots. You can link a Visa/Mastercard to WeChat/Alipay.

6. Bring on pickup day

Passport, visa, home licence, the temporary permit we prepared, and enough balance in WeChat/Alipay. No employment letter, no bank statement, no local guarantor.

7. We will not rent to you if

You have a drink-driving history; under 21; under one year experience; cannot show a valid passport and visa; or the temporary permit cannot be processed.

8. Right-hand-drive country visitors

Same paperwork as everyone else. Our cars are left-hand drive, like Europe and the US. The first two days in the city, drive slowly; two days is enough to adapt.

9. Common myths

Myth: "My IDP is valid in China." False — driving without a Chinese temporary permit is unlicensed driving. Myth: "I will arrange the permit when I land." Possible but takes 3-5 working days; do it before departure. Myth: "I need a Chinese bank card." No — link your foreign card to WeChat/Alipay.

10. Price list 2026

Lavida/Jetta 260/day; Tank 300 400/day; deposit 3,000/5,000; temporary permit 1,500; booking deposit 600; Lijiang one-way 1,500.

Not sure if you qualify? Send your details to WeChat qxzj7557 (WhatsApp +86 137-5915-5671).