1. Resident with a full overseas licence
Convert to a Chinese licence.
- For long-term residents
- Usually Subject 1 for qualifying car conversions
- Chinese class must match your overseas entitlement
On this page4 topics
Which route fits you?
Choose the option that best matches your situation. Click to learn more.
2. Short-term visitor with a full overseas licence
Temporary Chinese driving permit.
- Generally up to 3 months for short visits
- Up to 1 year in qualifying longer-stay cases
- Rented small cars usually limited to C1/C2
3. No full overseas licence
First-time Chinese licence route.
- Theory, manoeuvres and road-driving tests
- For applicants without a qualifying full licence
- Confirm school, documents and language before paying
4. Motorcycle · D / E / F
Separate entitlement and road restrictions.
- D: ordinary three-wheel motorcycles
- E: ordinary two-wheel motorcycles
- F: mopeds
- Most Shenzhen roads restrict motorcycles 24h, 2026–2028
Driving Licence Route Finder
Answer a few questions to see your likely route. The handling office confirms eligibility.
Preparation route only
This tool suggests your next steps. Final eligibility, documents and procedures are confirmed by the vehicle-administration office.
Learn step by step
Open a topic for detailed information, checklists, tools and official links.
11Overseas Licence Conversion
Eligibility, documents, process and timeline.
Read guide →2
2Temporary Driving Permit
The preparation route for short-term visitors.
Read guide →
33First-Time Licence
Theory, manoeuvres and road-driving tests.
Read guide →
44Documents Checklist
Everything to prepare for your application.
Read guide →5
5Subject 1 Study Centre
Learning cards, explanations and exam tips.
Start studying →6
6Vehicle Classes · C1/C2/D/E/F
Match the entitlement to the vehicle.
Read guide →
77Offices & Medical Checks
Official channels, booking and what to bring.
Read guide →
88Plate Rules in Shenzhen
Quotas, new-energy vehicle options and rules.
Read guide →
99Peak-Hour Restrictions
Check the current rule for your trip.
Read guide →10
10Car-Cost Calculator
Compare owning, leasing, Metro and taxis.
Open calculator →11
11Parking & Charging
Parking payments, public charging and supercharging.
Read guide →
1212Before Buying
Check the practical costs before you commit.
Read guide →13
13Motorcycles · D / E / F
Applications, conversions and local riding restrictions.
Read guide →14
14Common Mistakes
Avoid expensive paperwork and driving errors.
Read guide →15
15FAQs
Answers to the most common practical questions.
Read guide →Open detailed guides, tools and source notesChoose any topic above to open it directly
Licence applications: conversion, visitors and first-time learners
Full application guide and source notes
Convert your overseas licence: the standard-car route
For qualifying full car licences. Regional exchanges, agreements and other classes need separate confirmation.
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Full licence, stay documents, acquisition history and matching class.
- 2
Prepare translation
Confirm the institution, seals and acceptance before paying.
- 3
Medical & photos
Networked medical and Guangdong digital photo receipt.
- 4
Book & submit
Use the official overseas-conversion service; attend in person.
- 5
Pass Subject 1
Ordinary qualifying C1/C2 conversion usually has no road test.
- 6
Check your card
Confirm name, class, dates and collection instructions.
Read every conversion step and requirement →Timing depends on paperwork, study and appointments.
Which route is yours?
I have an overseas licence
Apply for a full Chinese licence. A qualifying ordinary car licence usually needs the Subject 1 theory exam.
See the 8 conversion steps →I do not have a full licence
Enrol in driving instruction and complete the theory, manoeuvres, road-driving and safety tests.
See the first-time route →I am visiting temporarily
If you already hold an overseas licence, ask about a temporary Chinese driving permit for your stay.
See the visitor route →This guide focuses on ordinary passenger cars. Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan documents, permanent-resident IDs, licence-recognition agreements, motorcycles and heavy vehicles can follow different rules. Ask the vehicle administration office to identify your route before paying.
Convert your overseas licence: 8 steps
Confirm your eligibility and vehicle class
For an ordinary car, ask for C1 (manual and automatic) or C2 (automatic only), matching your overseas entitlement. Check your identity and stay documents with the office first. Shenzhen’s foreign-applicant FAQ specifies an entry stay of at least 90 days and Guangdong-issued residence permits where applicable. Shenzhen Traffic Police · foreign applicants ↗
Check how you obtained your overseas licence
The national rule requires at least 90 cumulative days in the issuing country or region within one year when you obtained the licence. The office checks entry and exit records. Learner, temporary and provisional licences do not qualify for ordinary conversion. If your full licence is expired or has unusual restrictions, ask the office which application or examination route applies before paying. National licensing rules · 2025 consolidated text ↗
Arrange your translation, medical and photos
Use the checklist below. Ask the office to confirm translation acceptance and the hospital’s ability to register a foreign passport. Complete the medical and digital photo receipt before the application; do not assume either will be available at the counter. Shenzhen Traffic Police · conversion documents ↗
Book the overseas-licence conversion service
In the official 深圳交警 WeChat account, look for “持境外机动车驾驶证申请换证” (application with an overseas licence). Select a location that handles this service and keep the confirmation. Ask for an English Subject 1 exam when arranging the test. Shenzhen Public Security · booking and English exam ↗ Official Shenzhen vehicle-administration appointments ↗
Attend in person and open your application
Take originals and copies. The officer checks your documents, translation and entitlements, confirms the Chinese class and records your application. Resolve any missing information, pay against the official notice and follow the office’s instructions to schedule Subject 1. A paperwork appointment is not necessarily an exam appointment.
Study the current Chinese road rules
Prepare for signs, road markings, priority, safe driving, offences and licence rules. Use current practice materials for your selected language and aim comfortably above the 90-point pass mark. An ordinary qualifying C1/C2 conversion normally requires Subject 1, without a practical road test. Shenzhen Traffic Police · Subject 1 ↗
Take Subject 1 and handle any retake
Bring the identity document and confirmation specified in the booking; arrive at the stated time and verify the language before starting. If you fail, the published procedure allows one repeat at that appointment. If both attempts fail, rebook as instructed. Shenzhen Traffic Police · exam procedure and retakes ↗
Complete issuance and check the card
After passing, complete the required safety education and oath, pay the issuance charge and follow the collection or delivery instructions. Check your name, ID number, C1/C2 class and expiry before leaving. Drive only after the Chinese licence has been issued. Do not assume same-day collection or an expiry matching your visa.
Your conversion document checklist
Tick items as you prepare them. Only checklist ticks are saved in this browser.
Shenzhen Traffic Police · conversion documents ↗
The detailed 2023 document FAQ is addressed to Shenzhen hukou holders. Its photo, medical and translation specifications are useful preparation; foreign applicants must also confirm the separate identity/stay requirements above. Your appointment’s current checklist takes priority.
The exam, fees and timing
Subject 1 · 科目一
The pass mark is 90 out of 100. Shenzhen Public Security confirms an English question bank for C-class overseas conversions. Confirm the language and location when booking; do not assume every service counter also hosts the test.
Shenzhen Traffic Police · Subject 1 ↗ Shenzhen Public Security · booking and English exam ↗
Budget for the whole process
Translation, photographs, medical checks, school tuition, extra lessons and delivery are separate from exam charges. Ask for an itemised quote and keep official payment receipts.
| Exam | CNY |
|---|---|
| Subject 1 · theory | ¥70 |
| Subject 2 · manoeuvres | ¥130 |
| Subject 3 | ¥280 |
| First-time exam total | ¥480 |
| Licence card issuance | ¥10 |
Shenzhen Traffic Police · first application and exam fees ↗
The ¥480 total is for the first-time exam route. A standard conversion normally needs Subject 1 only. Subject 1 plus the ¥10 licence card is ¥80 before documents and other services; confirm the charges at application.
There is no guaranteed end-to-end date: document checks, study, available appointments and retakes determine your timetable. Ask separately about application acceptance, the exam date and card collection.
No overseas licence? Start from zero.
Check eligibility
For C1/C2 you must be at least 18 and meet the medical and identity requirements. Ask the licensing office to confirm your foreign-document eligibility before enrolling.
Choose a qualified driving school
Confirm it can register your passport, provide instruction you understand and arrange your required exams. Get a written price covering lessons, exam fees, extra practice, retakes and refunds.
Complete the medical, photo and enrolment
Prepare your accepted ID and stay documents, accommodation registration, networked medical and Guangdong photo receipt. The published local workflow includes document submission and fingerprint recording.
Pass Subject 1, then train
Pass the road-law theory test. The learner certificate is valid for three years: complete Subjects 2 and 3 within that period. Follow the training and booking requirements; practical lessons must use the authorised training arrangements.
Pass the practical and safety exams
Complete Subject 2 (closed-course manoeuvres), Subject 3 (road driving), and the safety-and-civilised-driving knowledge test, commonly called “Subject 4”. Ask the school for your class-specific training and booking timetable.
Take the oath and collect your first licence
Finish the issuance requirements and check your card. A first licence has a 12-month probation period; comply with the probation rules, including an accompanying driver on expressways who has held the same or a higher applicable licence class for at least three years.
Shenzhen Traffic Police · first application and exam fees ↗ National licensing rules · 2025 consolidated text ↗ Shenzhen Traffic Police · three-year learning certificate ↗
Visiting? Apply for a temporary permit.
Confirm that the temporary route fits your trip
You need a valid overseas licence and a lawful visit. A temporary Chinese driving permit is a separate application; your overseas licence or international driving permit alone does not authorise mainland driving.
Confirm the service point and documents
Ask Shenzhen Traffic Police which office handles 临时机动车驾驶许可 for your nationality, licence class and vehicle. Prepare your passport and entry/stay documents, overseas licence, Chinese translation if needed, photos and the documents requested for that service.
Attend the application and safety briefing
Submit the application, complete the required road-safety learning and follow the office’s collection instructions. For C1/C2 temporary permits, the national reform exempts the medical examination. Confirm the current document list and fees before travelling to the office.
Check validity and carry the required documents
The national rules provide a three-month permit for short stays, extendable up to one year for stays over three months. Your issued permit controls the actual dates, class and conditions. Carry it with the original overseas licence and the required Chinese translation; check rental acceptance and insurance before collecting a car.
National licensing rules · 2025 consolidated text ↗ Guangdong government · temporary driving permit service ↗ Shenzhen Traffic Police · identity documents by route ↗ Ministry of Public Security · temporary-permit reforms ↗ Government guidance · using a temporary driving permit ↗
Book, check and ask the right office
Official channels
Open official appointments ↗ · The online vehicle office lists both overseas-licence conversion and temporary permits for overseas visitors. Login may require WeChat.
深圳交警 · Shenzhen Traffic Police’s official WeChat account. Search for the exact service name; use the appointment confirmation for the address and opening hours.
0755-83333333 · Traffic Police service hotline; request routing to the vehicle administration office.
Guangdong traffic-management portal ↗ · 交管12123 for supported traffic-management services and exam bookings once your record is registered. Follow the office’s instructions if passport verification fails.
Before you drive
Can I use an international driving permit?
It does not replace a Chinese licence or temporary permit for mainland driving. Hong Kong and Macao have separate systems; check their requirements separately.
Can I use a recognition agreement or a Hong Kong licence?
Agreements and special regional routes can change the tests or paperwork. Tell the office the issuing place, nationality, licence class and date of issue. Do not assume the ordinary Subject 1 route or a test exemption applies.
What about buying a car, plates and driving to Hong Kong?
Licensing, vehicle registration, insurance, Shenzhen plate eligibility and cross-border permissions are separate tasks. Check each before paying for a vehicle. A mainland licence does not by itself give a vehicle permission to cross the border.
Plan a Hong Kong crossing →Official sources and review notes
Checked on 15 October 2026. The linked pages have different publication dates; checking them today does not make them newly issued rules. Office instructions and eligibility depend on your documents and licence category.
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · foreign applicants ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · conversion documents ↗
- Shenzhen Public Security · booking and English exam ↗
- National licensing rules · 2025 consolidated text ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · first application and exam fees ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · Subject 1 ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · exam procedure and retakes ↗
- Official Shenzhen vehicle-administration appointments ↗
- Guangdong government · temporary driving permit service ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · identity documents by route ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · three-year learning certificate ↗
- Ministry of Public Security · temporary-permit reforms ↗
- Government guidance · using a temporary driving permit ↗
Your document checklist
Your document checklist
The checklist adapts to the route. Your appointment’s instructions take priority.
Subject 1 study centre
Theory study corner
Learn the rule, read the explanation, then review what you missed.
90/100pass mark100 · 45questions · minutes¹EnglishC-class: confirm booking
¹Standard small-car Subject 1 format. Confirm your booked exam. These 12 original learning cards are educational; they are not the official question bank or a mock exam.
Enable JavaScript for interactive learning cards. Read the exam guide for language, fees and retakes.
Exam & fee guide →Vehicle classes, ETC and insurance
Licence classes and what you can drive
Manual + automatic small cars
Matching overseas entitlement and official approval required.
Automatic small cars
Automatic-only entitlement is not a promise of C1.
Motorcycles
Separate class, application and local road restrictions.
Heavy vehicle classes
Additional eligibility and practical exams may apply.
Expired, learner or provisional documents need a different assessment. An expired full licence may have a direct-examination route; confirm with the office.
Get a motorcycle licence →Driving systems you will actually use
ETC
Electronic toll collection; check issuer terms and vehicle matching.
Parking payments
Read entry tariffs, charging periods and the payment instructions.
交管12123
Supported licence, vehicle, exam and violation services.
Insurance
Confirm cover, excess, permitted drivers and claims process.
Offices, medical checks and translation
Find offices, medical checks and translation guidance
Area overview · schematic
Find the correct licensing office
Use the official office directory, then book the exact service in Shenzhen Traffic Police’s online vehicle office. A listed office is not automatically a foreign-licence counter or exam venue.
Open official guidance ↗Find a driver-medical examination point
The official directory lists examination types, contacts and service notes. Confirm that the point is operating and can upload your driver-medical result; a general checkup is different. Temporary small-car permits are exempt.
Open official guidance ↗Confirm translation acceptance
Shenzhen PSB does not designate a particular translation institution. Its reply requests translation-qualification evidence and the translation with the institution’s official seals. Confirm acceptance with your handling office before paying.
Open official guidance ↗Use the current official directories and your appointment address. No private provider, clinic opening or translator approval is implied by this overview.
Shenzhen plates and taking a Shenzhen car to Hong Kong
Plate options in Shenzhen
New-energy vehicle
Relaxed application guidance runs through 31 Dec 2026. Eligibility review and vehicle conditions still apply.
Ordinary quota
Lottery / auction channels, eligibility and allocation rules are separate from your licence.
Plug-in / qualifying range-extended vehicles differ from ordinary hybrids. A nonlocal EV plate is not a blanket peak-hour exemption.
Taking your Shenzhen-plated car to Hong Kong
For a car already registered in Shenzhen with Shenzhen plates (粤B), including the position for a foreign worker.
Checked:
A foreign work/residence permit does not qualify you for the standard personal southbound scheme.
For an ordinary foreign national who privately owns a Shenzhen-plated car, the published Southbound Travel rules require a PRC Resident Identity Card for both the applicant and designated drivers. A foreign passport, Chinese work/residence permit, Shenzhen address and Chinese driving licence do not replace that card. A qualifying car alone is insufficient.
A. Southbound Travel / 粤车南下
This permits eligible Guangdong cars to enter Hong Kong without a regular cross-border quota. It is a southbound permit process for your mainland-registered car. The steps below apply after the applicant and drivers meet the identity requirements.
- 1. Check the applicant and drivers.
The applicant must be a Mainland resident aged at least 18, hold a PRC Resident Identity Card and own the car. Each designated driver must also hold that card, the required travel document/endorsement, a Mainland driving licence and a Hong Kong full driving licence.
- 2. Check the car and apply through the Mainland system.
Shenzhen is included in the expanded scheme. The car must be a qualifying Guangdong-registered, non-commercial small passenger vehicle, under 6 metres and with no more than 8 seats including the driver. Follow the current ballot and application arrangements.
- 3. Complete approval, inspection and insurance.
Submit to the Mainland authorities first. Follow Hong Kong TD’s subsequent instructions for vehicle inspection, Hong Kong third-party insurance, the International Circulation Permit and the remaining Mainland formalities.
- 4. Book travel after approval.
Complete the travel booking and use the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge under the approved dates and conditions, for up to three days per visit. This does not give an unrestricted Shenzhen Bay crossing entitlement.
Southbound application and travel booking ↗ · June 2026 expansion and visit conditions ↗
B. Regular mainland-car business quota / FV–FU
This is a separate enterprise-quota route. Guangdong’s published non-bridge guide covers eligible state-owned, collective and domestic private enterprises, normally with at least RMB1 million in qualifying previous-year tax, and expressly excludes foreign-invested enterprises from that route. The HZMB guide uses a separate test of at least RMB1 million cumulative qualifying tax over three years. These are company eligibility conditions, not a fee to add a plate to your own car.
Guangdong PSB: mainland outbound business quota ↗ · Guangdong PSB: HZMB outbound quota ↗ · Guangdong Traffic Police guide: April 2026 ↗
Foreign-driver document barrier: Hong Kong’s September 2026 mainland-vehicle checklist specifies a Two-way Exit Permit with business-visit endorsement or official-purpose status and a Hong Kong full driving licence. It does not list a foreign passport/China residence-permit substitute. An employer’s quota therefore does not automatically authorise a foreign employee or the employee’s privately owned car. Confirm any proposed exception with both authorities before paying.
HK mainland-vehicle checklist: September 2026 ↗
- 1. Confirm the company, car and drivers qualify.
Ask Guangdong Traffic Police to confirm the current outbound quota, open port, company-tax criteria, vehicle ownership requirements and driver documents. Privately owning a Shenzhen car does not establish enterprise-quota eligibility.
- 2. Obtain Guangdong’s approval.
Apply through the provincial cross-border vehicle service with company/tax records and the required vehicle and driver documents. Complete the review and any scoring/waiting process. Obtain the Electronic Mainland Approval Notice.
- 3. Apply for Hong Kong’s mainland-vehicle permits.
The September 2026 checklist specifies TD54A for the International Circulation Permit and TD547D for a new Closed Road Permit. It also requires company authorisation/chop, Guangdong approval, vehicle papers/photos, specified travel/driving documents, Hong Kong insurance and address evidence.
- 4. Complete inspection and border activation.
Follow the inspection notice and permit-validity instructions. Complete the Mainland customs/border formalities and the approved vehicle-mark requirements. Keep permissions and insurance valid for the named car, drivers and crossing.
Guangdong cross-border vehicle service ↗ · Guangdong PSB: quota scoring and waiting ↗ · Hong Kong cross-boundary permits ↗
The detailed Guangdong enterprise guides were published in April 2019; an April 2026 police guide restates the tax tests and application sequence. Hong Kong’s mainland-vehicle checklist is September 2026. Confirm the currently open quota and company/driver requirements directly.
Can I use the Talent Youyue A Card or the HK-car investor route?
Those provisions concern Hong Kong-registered vehicles entering Guangdong. They do not establish permission to take your Shenzhen-registered car into Hong Kong. The direction and primary vehicle registration matter.
Does Park & Fly or Park & Visit avoid the identity requirement?
The published port-carpark conditions also require a Mainland applicant/driver holding a PRC Resident Identity Card. A foreign passport appearing among airline passenger documents is not a foreign-owner/driver exemption. Port parking is separate from driving around Hong Kong.
For your existing Shenzhen car: These published routes do not establish a standard personal application based only on a foreign passport and Shenzhen work/residence documents. Ask Guangdong Traffic Police and Hong Kong TD to assess the exact owner, driver and vehicle documents before commissioning an FV/FU or southbound application. Otherwise, leave the car on the Mainland and cross by public transport.
Plan a Shenzhen–Hong Kong crossing → · Hong Kong TD: +852 2804 2600
Check the current peak-hour restriction
Check the peak-hour rule
Choose the date and confirmed day type. This tool checks the regular peak-hour notice only.
07:00–09:00 · 17:30–19:30. Notice valid 17 Sep 2026–16 Sep 2027. Corridors, permits, adjusted weekends, holiday arrangements and other rules need separate confirmation. Choose Not confirmed if unsure.
Read the current police notice ↗Car ownership cost calculator
Driving cost estimator
Example assumptions, not Shenzhen price quotes. Enter your own costs; avoid counting the same vehicle expense in both lease payments and depreciation. Purchase deposits and parking-space rights are extra.
Parking, public charging and supercharging
Parking and charging in Shenzhen
At home
Confirm monthly access, space rights and overnight availability.
At work
Check the actual entrance, visitor access and daily limits.
At a mall
Check free periods, spending conditions and closing-time access.
Charging
Match plug and vehicle, operator payment, tariffs and parking charges.
For a home charger, confirm property permission and electrical capacity before buying the vehicle.
Open the full parking, charging and supercharging guide →Parking, charging and supercharging in Shenzhen
A practical guide for daily parking, your first public charge and faster EV stops.
Checked:
Plan the parking and the charging together.
Start with i深圳 for parking/charging information, then check the exact car park and charger operator. Confirm your vehicle is accepted, your payment works, and the full price before entering. A charging payment, parking payment and parking-discount validation may be three separate actions.
iShenzhen: find chargers, availability and tariffs ↗ · iShenzhen: smart parking and reservations ↗
Car parks: home, work, malls and public places
- 1. Find the entrance and check access.
In i深圳, search 智慧停车 for supported car parks and reservation services. Check whether a park or attraction requires a booking, and confirm the correct entrance, height limit, opening hours and overnight exit access. A monthly parking payment may not guarantee a particular space.
- 2. Read the tariff at the entrance.
Check the initial period, later hourly/unit rate, daily cap, free exit window and whether the cap resets at midnight or per 24 hours. Ask separately about monthly parking, visitor restrictions and whether charging changes the tariff. There is no single price covering every Shenzhen car park.
- 3. Keep the plate and payment record correct.
Make sure the entry system reads your plate correctly. Before leaving, follow the car park’s official QR/app/payment instructions, apply eligible shopping or charging discounts, pay and exit within its stated window. Ask the attendant for help if recognition or payment fails.
Roadside parking: 宜停车 / Yi Ting Che
- 1. Read the bay’s roadside sign.
Use a marked, numbered bay. Check the permitted parking hours separately from the fee-paying hours, vehicle type and direction of parking. An empty roadside space is not automatically a legal parking space.
- 2. Start and confirm the session within 10 minutes.
Use 宜停车 through its app, WeChat, Alipay life account or i深圳, or the 96001 voice service. Confirm the plate and exact bay number. The 10 minutes are a deadline to activate payment, not a free-parking allowance. A post-pay account also needs a started session.
- 3. Pay for enough time and watch the expiry.
Use wallet balance or the supported WeChat/Alipay payment flow; a wallet top-up is not always necessary. Renew prepayment before the purchased period ends. Post-payment needs an accepted credit-backed arrangement set up in advance. If a free period runs into a paid period, activate the next session before that paid period begins.
- 4. Check the end of the session.
Check the final record and any refund or outstanding amount. If activation is blocked after ten minutes, official guidance says to leave the bay and legally re-enter before starting again. Contact 96001 if the app, bay number or plate is wrong. Roadside parking does not accept cash; resolve the session or use another lawful parking place.
Roadside prices depend on the tariff zone, day type and length of stay. The published tariff table uses 30-minute billing units with higher rates for longer stays. Read the bay sign and current tariff. Night-time periods with no parking fee do not extend the permitted parking hours.
Transport Bureau: starting a roadside parking session ↗ · Transport Bureau: renew before the prepaid period ends ↗ · Current amended Shenzhen roadside parking rules ↗ · Transport Bureau: roadside tariff zones and time units ↗ · Transport Bureau: cash is not accepted for roadside parking ↗ · Transport Bureau: missed ten-minute activation deadline ↗
Supercharging in Shenzhen: choose the right bay
Shenzhen’s published supercharging standard defines equipment with at least one connector rated at 480 kW or above. A station can also contain slower chargers. Check the individual connector, not only the station name or a large 480/600 kW sign. Your car will accept only the power its battery and charging system support under the current conditions.
| Type | Best fit | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| AC / slow · 慢充 | Home, work or a long stay; usually hours. | Car’s onboard AC limit, cable availability and parking duration. |
| DC / fast · 快充 | A planned top-up during a shorter stop. | Car’s DC capability, connector, live tariff and actual output. |
| Ultra-fast · 超充 / 超级快充 | A brief stop when car and charger support high power. | The high-power connector’s availability and vehicle eligibility. |
What determines the speed?
Check your exact car’s maximum DC power and supported voltage/current. An “800 V” label alone does not guarantee a particular rate. Battery temperature, charge level, the car’s charging curve and power shared across the site can reduce the output. Charging often slows as the battery fills; follow the manufacturer’s target and preparation advice.
Estimate from average power, not peak power
kW is charging power; kWh is the energy delivered and usually the billing unit. For illustration, adding 40 kWh at an average 80 kW takes about 30 minutes; at an average 160 kW, about 15 minutes. Queueing, access, setup and charging losses add time. These are calculations, not a promise for any car or station.
Shenzhen’s supercharging equipment standard ↗ · iShenzhen: 超级快充 supercharging search ↗ · National electric-vehicle charging connector standards ↗ · Tesla China: charging speed and session guidance ↗
Tesla Superchargers: using a non-Tesla electric car
Tesla’s China guidance admits eligible non-Tesla battery-electric cars at selected stations using the specified GB/T 20234.3-2015 interface and communication/safety protocols. Check availability in the Tesla app under 为非 Tesla 车辆充电, or in the Tesla WeChat mini-programme’s map filter 向非 Tesla 车辆开放. Confirm your exact vehicle is supported.
Set up the accepted payment method, select the matching connector ID and follow that station’s start/stop instructions. Check cable reach without parking across bay lines, and read the current price, idle fees and separate car-park rules. A Tesla station appearing on a general map does not by itself establish non-Tesla access.
Your first public charging session: start to finish
- 1. Find a usable site before you drive.
Search i深圳 for 新能源车充电 or 超级快充, then filter by location, charging type/power and parking fee. Open the station details and check public access, opening hours, live availability, entrance and floor. Choose a backup nearby; an empty charger on a map is not a reservation.
- 2. Confirm the car, connector and payment route.
Check your exact model’s AC/DC connector, DC charge limit and the operator’s vehicle eligibility. Open the operator’s app or mini-programme in advance and confirm login, phone verification and payment. Mainland charging standards differ from imported-car connectors; use only a vehicle-maker-approved solution.
- 3. Read the full price before starting.
Check electricity and service charges per kWh, the applicable time band, minimum/top-up or preauthorisation terms, parking charges and any idle/overstay fee. Find out how to claim a charging-related parking discount, its minimum charge/time conditions and its exit deadline.
- 4. Match the bay and connector, then start.
Park in the permitted charging bay without blocking the next space. Check the charger and cable are undamaged, select the correct connector number, and follow the station’s plug-in/scan sequence. Verify that the operator, station and connector in the payment screen match the equipment you are using.
- 5. Check that energy is actually flowing.
Confirm the session shows charging, delivered kWh and power—not just a successful payment. Follow your car’s recommended charge target. Power changes with battery temperature, charge level and station load; use the car’s charging preparation/navigation features if its manual recommends them.
- 6. Stop, unlock and move the car.
End the session through the stated app or vehicle procedure, wait for release, return the connector and leave the charging bay promptly. Check the final bill and any remaining balance/refund. A charger stopping automatically does not necessarily stop parking or idle fees.
- 7. Settle parking and keep the records.
Validate the parking discount if offered, pay any separate car-park bill and exit within the allowed window. Save the charging receipt/order, station and connector IDs, and parking receipt. For a failed session, use the equipment’s operator helpline with those details; use the payment app’s dispute route if needed.
iShenzhen: find chargers, availability and tariffs ↗ · iShenzhen: 超级快充 supercharging search ↗ · Shenzhen charging-price disclosure guidance ↗ · Tesla China: charging speed and session guidance ↗
What will the stop actually cost?
Read all parts of the bill
Charging cost = delivered kWh × electricity rate + delivered kWh × service rate, plus any separately disclosed parking and idle/overstay charges. If the session crosses tariff bands, the bill may use the corresponding rates. A discount or “free parking” offer has its own conditions; check them on the station page and at the entrance.
Worked example · invented prices
40 kWh × (RMB0.80 electricity + RMB0.50 service) = RMB52 for charging. Add RMB10 parking and the total is RMB62, before any applicable idle fee or discount. These are example inputs, not current Shenzhen tariffs. Compare the whole stop, including detour and queue time.
Add your real parking and charging costs to the monthly budget →
Market regulator: electricity and service fees ↗ · Shenzhen charging-price disclosure guidance ↗ · iShenzhen: find chargers, availability and tariffs ↗
Are the first 15 minutes or EV parking always free?
The city’s May 2026 guidance distinguishes the venue and pricing regime. Parking attached to nonprofit hospitals, public schools and government/public institutions is free for stays up to 30 minutes. Other government-priced facilities have a 15-minute initial free period. Market-priced facilities such as malls and offices set and display their own free period; the city encourages them to offer one.
For an EV or charging-related parking concession, check the current site policy, eligible vehicle, required energy/time, validation method and maximum free duration. The charger’s electricity/service fee and any idle fee can still apply during free parking.
Shenzhen DRC: which car parks have free initial periods ↗ · Shenzhen charging-price disclosure guidance ↗
Home charging: permissions, meter and installation
- 1. Confirm the space and get written consent.
Check ownership or a qualifying right to use the fixed parking space, your landlord’s permission if rented, and property-management consent. Luohu’s published checklist specifies ownership or at least one year’s use rights; confirm the current requirements for your address.
- 2. Prepare the application documents.
The published checklist includes valid identification, purchase-intent agreement or vehicle invoice, parking-space rights, a location plan/site photos and written property consent. Ask Shenzhen Power Supply which passport/residence documents it accepts for your application.
- 3. Apply for supply and a capacity survey.
Use 南网在线, the 南方电网95598 WeChat service, the online service hall or a supply office. The utility checks the supply plan, meter position, cable route and available capacity; the building may need upgrades or managed charging.
- 4. Agree the full installation quote.
The utility says its meter-connection application is free. That does not make the charger, cable runs, protective equipment, installation after the meter or property works free. Agree responsibilities, maintenance, permitted power and the applicable electricity tariff before work.
- 5. Install, inspect, register and maintain.
Use the authorised process and suitable equipment; complete acceptance checks before use. Ask the installer/property manager to arrange the required local filing and registration on the city charging-facility safety-monitoring platform, and agree ongoing maintenance. Confirm the schedule and account. For supply/application questions, contact 95598; use public charging while approvals are pending.
Luohu: home charging application checklist ↗ · Shenzhen Power Supply: application and capacity checks ↗ · Shenzhen Power Supply: meter application and installation costs ↗ · Shenzhen charging-facility construction and management rules ↗
Foreign residents: phones, passports and payment
Test the exact operator’s sign-up and payment flow before relying on a station. Confirm that it accepts your identity document, phone number and payment method; check passport, overseas-number and foreign-linked card support where relevant. i深圳 helps find stations; the linked operator may still require its own account and payment setup. A successful WeChat/Alipay payment elsewhere does not prove that every mini-programme will accept your account.
Keep mobile data and enough phone battery, save your plate correctly—including Chinese characters—and have a backup station. If an app cannot verify your identity or take payment, use the operator’s listed support or the car-park attendant. For roadside parking call 96001; for home electricity applications call 95598 or visit a service office. Do not assume another person’s account will resolve vehicle or identity requirements.
Useful Chinese words at the charger and car park
- 入口
- Entrance
- 出口
- Exit
- 车牌号
- Plate number
- 泊位号
- Parking bay number
- 停车费
- Parking fee
- 电费
- Electricity fee
- 服务费
- Service fee
- 超时占用费
- Overstay/idle fee
- 充电枪
- Charging connector
- 空闲
- Available
- 故障
- Out of service / fault
- 开发票
- Request an invoice
Buying, leasing, common mistakes and FAQs
Buy, lease or skip the car?
Buy
Check plate eligibility, ownership cost, parking and charging before paying a deposit.
Lease
Check registration, permitted drivers, mileage, insurance excess and exit terms.
Skip the car
Test your actual commute with Metro and occasional taxis before committing.
Before buying a car
- Try your actual commute
- Confirm the right licence route
- Establish plate eligibility
- Price home and work parking
- Read insurance and lease conditions
- Check charging access if relevant
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating an IDP as a mainland licence
- Paying before confirming plate eligibility
- Assuming every agreement exempts every holder
- Buying an unaccepted translation
- Assuming a green nonlocal plate is exempt
- Taking points for another driver
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a road test?
An ordinary qualifying small-car conversion usually requires Subject 1 only. Other classes and cases can need more examinations.
Does an automatic licence become C1?
Do not assume it. The Chinese class must match your overseas entitlement; automatic-only is generally the C2 path.
Is the English exam available?
Shenzhen confirms an English C-class bank. Request and confirm the language and location with the handling office.
Can I drive with a nonlocal EV plate?
Green plate colour does not establish a blanket exemption. Check the current nonlocal-vehicle notice and your exact circumstances.
How long will the process take?
Documents, study, appointments, eligibility review and retakes determine your timetable. There is no guaranteed end-to-end date.
Motorcycle licences and riding restrictions
Motorcycle driving licence in Shenzhen
First licence, overseas conversion or adding motorcycles to an existing Chinese licence.
Checked:
Check Shenzhen’s riding ban before buying a motorcycle.
A motorcycle licence does not give unrestricted access to Shenzhen roads. The current notice runs from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028 and bans motorcycles 24 hours a day on almost all roads. In the nine listed urban districts, only specified stretches of National Highway 107 and Pingshan Avenue are excluded; Dapeng has eight named road exceptions. Registered special-use exemptions are narrow. Check the exact notice and your route; a Shenzhen address or an out-of-town motorcycle plate does not override the ban.
Which motorcycle class do you need?
Ordinary three-wheel motorcycles
Includes E and F.
Ordinary two-wheel motorcycles
Includes F; does not cover D.
Mopeds
Moped entitlement only. Check the vehicle’s approved classification.
Car licence only
These classes do not authorise motorcycles. Add the appropriate motorcycle class.
Official national vehicle-class table ↗
Your first motorcycle licence: every step
- 1. Choose D, E or F and check eligibility.
D and E are for ages 18–69; from age 70, ordinary motorcycle entitlement must be downgraded to F. F starts at 18. D/E applicants aged 60–69 and F applicants aged 70 or over also need a memory, judgement and reaction assessment. Meet the class-specific medical requirements and check any disqualifying driving history.
- 2. Confirm your foreign-resident documents.
For the ordinary resident route, prepare your valid passport or other accepted travel document, a visa/stay/residence document allowing at least 90 days of stay, and police-issued temporary accommodation registration in Guangdong. A work permit alone does not replace these. Confirm acceptance with the handling office.
- 3. Complete the medical check and photos.
Use a Shenzhen district-level or higher networked hospital; the medical data is valid for six months. Obtain a Guangdong driving-licence digital photo receipt and the required photographs. Tell the provider which motorcycle class you are applying for.
- 4. Book and submit the motorcycle application.
The official Shenzhen portal lists 摩托车(初学、增驾) for first applications and added classes. Confirm the accepting office, training arrangements, exam site and motorcycle theory language before paying a school. Submit the application, identity papers, medical/photo records and any existing licence; pay the fees after acceptance.
- 5. Complete training and pass the motorcycle tests.
The normal first-licence sequence is Subject 1 theory, Subject 2 closed-course skills, then Subject 3 road skills and its safe/civilised-driving theory component (often called Subject 4). Motorcycle pass marks are 90, 80, 90 and 90 respectively. Complete the remaining exams within the three-year learning-certificate validity. Use the motorcycle syllabus and the approved test vehicle.
- 6. Receive and check your Chinese licence.
Complete the required traffic-safety instruction and oath. Check your name, motorcycle entitlement and dates before riding. First-time motorcycle entitlement has a 12-month probation period. The licence, vehicle registration/plate, compulsory insurance, helmet rules and road-access restrictions are separate requirements.
Shenzhen motorcycle application appointments ↗ · Shenzhen: foreign-applicant identity documents ↗ · National driving-licence rules (2025) ↗ · Police guidance: age-related ability tests ↗
Already have a driving licence?
I have a full overseas motorcycle licence
Ask for the overseas-licence conversion route and the Chinese class matching your motorcycle entitlement. A foreign car licence alone cannot be converted into motorcycle entitlement. Prepare the original valid full licence, an accepted Chinese translation when needed, the resident identity/accommodation documents, medical check and photos.
For an ordinary qualifying D/E/F conversion, the national rule requires Subject 1. The office must verify the licence, entitlement, acquisition/stay history and any agreement-based exception before confirming the exam route. Book 持境外机动车驾驶证申请换证, submit in person, pass the required exam and check the issued Chinese class. Confirm the motorcycle exam language separately from the car exam.
National driving-licence rules (2025) ↗ · Shenzhen motorcycle application appointments ↗
I have a Chinese C1/C2 car licence
Apply to add D, E or F (增驾), rather than applying for a second separate Chinese licence. Finish your current probation first and meet the additional-class eligibility rules, including no 12-point total in the current and immediately preceding scoring periods. Apply through the office where your Chinese licence is issued; arrange a transfer first if needed.
Bring the existing licence with the application documents. The normal C1/C2-to-motorcycle route requires the motorcycle theory and practical examinations. After passing, the card combines entitlements, for example C1E or C2D. Car and motorcycle offences share the same 12-point record. Adding motorcycles for the first time also starts a 12-month motorcycle probation period.
National driving-licence rules (2025) ↗ · Shenzhen motorcycle application appointments ↗
I already have a Chinese motorcycle class
For eligible F-to-E/D or E-to-D upgrades, the national rules require Subjects 2 and 3 rather than Subject 1. Ask the office to confirm the remaining exam components and the class, age and record requirements. Adding motorcycles to a car licence follows the separate route above.
Published fees and booking
Shenzhen publishes motorcycle examination fees of RMB225: Subject 1 RMB70, Subject 2 RMB70 and Subject 3 RMB85, plus RMB10 for the licence card. These exclude training, medical checks, photos and translation. Conversion or an exempt-subject upgrade is charged according to the applicable examinations; confirm the payable amount at acceptance. Rebooking after failing the on-site retake costs 50% of that subject’s published fee.
Shenzhen: medical, photos and published exam fees ↗ · Shenzhen motorcycle application appointments ↗
Shenzhen vehicle-administration enquiries: 0755-83333333.
Electric scooter or e-bike: check the vehicle category
A compliant electric bicycle is a non-motor vehicle with its own registration rules; it does not use a D/E/F driving licence. An electric moped or electric motorcycle is a motor vehicle and needs the matching motorcycle licence. Electric propulsion, pedals or a seller calling it an “e-bike” do not establish its legal category. Check its approval documents before buying; electric motorcycles are also covered by Shenzhen’s motorcycle restrictions.
Official sources, review and image notes
Review, scope and official sources
Licence and route sources were reviewed on 15 October 2026; motorcycle, cross-border and parking/charging additions were checked on 16 October 2026. Follow the current office instructions for your exact documents and vehicle.
- Shenzhen Police · nonlocal passenger-car notice, 2026–2027 ↗
- Shenzhen transport rules · new-energy car quota conditions ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · official office directory ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · driver-medical directory ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · driver-medical upload requirements ↗
- Shenzhen Public Security · no designated translation institution ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · official appointments ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · published exam passing scores ↗
- Suzhou Government · standard-car Subject 1 format ↗
- Road Traffic Safety Law · seatbelts, alcohol and crossings ↗
- Road traffic implementation rules · signals and safe conduct ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · give-way sign guidance ↗
- Beijing Traffic Management · agreement and expired-document guidance ↗
- Ministry of Public Security · returning overseas Chinese measures ↗
- Shenzhen Traffic Police · conditional Hong Kong exchange route ↗
- Macao Government · conditional licence reciprocity ↗
- Luohu Government: official emergency numbers ↗
About the illustrations
The panoramic header is an AI-generated editorial illustration. Some topic images are original illustrations or AI-generated editorial images; they are not verified photographs of a specific office, document or charging station. Topic images illustrate the subject and do not establish a location, approval or product recommendation.