Simplified Steps for Obtaining Mainland Driving License

[OrganicDancer]

Hi All,

It seems like we need to split this thread - one for license and one for bank accounts. I wonder if the admin will consider that.

Thanks for your assistance with this. After going thorugh the process, it seems it is much less scary than assumed and much easier. If I had to advise somebody on my experience - which is limited Chinese but with access to somebody who can speak Chinese, this is what I would suggest.

1. Visit the public hospital and obtain the medical. This is super easy at a hospital. You don't need to know Chinese words like Starfish etc for the colour blind test. The hearing test is non existent (I assume since they are communicating with you). You can even have somebody with you to translate. At the Nanshen PSB, in the automated medical check, nobody can help you and your are not supposed to use your phone.

2. For the photos, it make it simpler if they can be obtained outside. I do not know where but I assume it is not that hard (the medical at hospital is such a breeze, takes like 5 minutes). You can use the same "pod" at the PSB to get it done but it all in Chinese.

Bear in mind if it is your first time, do not be afraid, or if you don't speak Chinese do not worry. As alluded to in the posts, the Nanshen PSB is used to dealing with people of visible foreign background and are quite helpful. Please do not raise your voice or speak loudly to them. The best is to have a Hong Kong mobile plan that allows for outside internet access and use a translator app or better still chat gpt. Even better write down these questions in English you may ask and ask chat gpt to translate. Bear in mind many of the staff have a functional level of English but many do not.

If you have your medical and photos, the whole process is a breeze. Bear in mind there is waiting time involved but as long as you get in before 5pm, they will not kick you out. They will process your application. on the same day.

Bring your HKID, MTP, HK Driving License. Also ensure you have a Chinese name that you can write out. You will need to sign with it many times. You also need a mainland number and its best to obtain one that you can use even in HK (2 numbers 1 sim etc). China mobile HK allows for this as well as unrestricted internet.

There are lots of posts about certain questions being asked by them (eg. where did you get your license, what is your business in China?). They may or may not ask them. Missus and I had small variations in our process as she could speak Chinese and I couldn't. She is a non native speaker and the process was not easy even for her.

1. You will enter the second floor of the PSB. To your slight right is a reception. You tell them what you are here for by showing all your documents.

At this point they may ask about appointment. We just said we tried and couldn't.

They also gave us a piece of paper indicating we had to watch the "scary"" video between a certain time. Bear in mind, we didn't watch it and they stamped it later saying he had.

2. They then direct you to the left hand end of the hall (from the point of entry). You go a person who will then look at your documents and give you a number on a paper.

3. There is a lady next to him callng people (it was a lady when I went) - she calls the number and changes the number of the next manually. The number will not appear on screen.

4. When you go to her, you give her the documents you need to - HK Permanent ID, MTP, HK License (Medical and Photos).She implicityly understands what you need. If you have done your medical and photos then it isi all good, otherwise she will ask you to get it done.

5. When complete - i am not sure if you have to go back to her - but as medical was done, we go to an automated machine near reception, input our MTP number and wait to be served. There is somebody who can help you based on the receipt obtained in (4).

6. This is the longest wait and technically one can watch the video (there was a room close by) during this period. We didn't bother to watch it.

Your number will appear on screen and you go to the person who serves you. In our case we waited 90 minutes. I was prepared anyway. The missus was able to order coffee to the PSB. Bear in mind you cannot leave the front gate but they allow the delivery to pass food inside.

For myself, they didn't make me write anything in Chinese and helped me to write my Chinese address. Missus had to fill everything hersellf and write the declaration.

7. They then tell you to look for you name on the screen and once you see it (in Chinese) , you get your license. Took about 5 minutes.

Bear in mind there was nothing we had to do with the any app or register etc.

I am extremely grateful for the experience shared by all and decided to write this for folks who have no familarity with Chinese administration/language. I obtained by first license in the subcontinent (not India/Pakistan/Bangledesh) where such things are pain and I felt during the whole process every "wait" was going to be an inevitable hurdle that would result in rejection (projection of past experience I guess). In reality, they folks at the PSB really ""wanted"" to help. This was my first true experience with Chinese administration in the Chinese state (including the visa office) as I have never had to deal with them. It can seem daunting at times but once done, the whole thing is just extremely different to what I am used to.

Again all I can say is do not worry. Treat the whole process like a learning exercise as you need go back there in a 6 years if you want a renewal etc. Its good to get acclimatized to the Mainland system.

Cheers

[shri]

Moved this out. Will split the insurance and bank account posts out in a bit.

[redslert]

Might do this during Easter break. Thank you for the write up.

[redslert]

Can I please ask if it is mandatory to have a China Mobile Number?

[OrganicDancer]

Can I please ask if it is mandatory to have a China Mobile Number?

Yes. Pls check if your local HK carrier can give you a number. It's the easiest as you would need it in case you apply for the Northbound Scheme.

[boris81]

Do I need to have a Chinese name on my HKID/MTP?

[johnnygba]

Do I need to have a Chinese name on my HKID/MTP?

No but you need one on license. Will need to be able to write it.

[aquaman]

i would use 大一
easy to right

[OrganicDancer]

No but you need one on license. Will need to be able to write it.

No it isn't. However I would advise to choose one that later you could use to update your HKID and your MTP. I have heard some folks here state some services have been only available to those who have Chinese names using the permit (eg. bank account or mobile sim).

I plan to update my HKID in future prior to permit renewal.