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Driving in China on an Australian licence
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
Australian International Driving Permits are not valid in China.
China does not recognise International Driving Permits of any kind. To drive legally you need a temporary Chinese driving permit, which can be obtained at some major airports and vehicle administration offices with your passport and licence. Most visitors don't bother.
Drives on the rightOpposite to Australia
Minimum age 18For most hire companies
Not recommended for visitorsTypical daily hire
IDP not recognisedNot recognised - China does not accept International Driving Permits
Is hiring a car in China worth it?
Use Didi, high-speed rail and the metro instead.
Typical daily hire runs Not recommended for visitors.
Where to hire a car in China
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. A row labelled "Featured partner" holds a paid position at the top of the table. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
What Australian drivers need to know in China
- Didi (the local rideshare app) is cheap and integrated into Alipay - no separate app or account needed.
- High-speed rail is exceptional and usually faster than flying between major cities.
- Metro systems in Shanghai and Beijing are extensive, cheap and signposted in English.
- Hiring a car with a driver is common and removes the licence problem entirely.
You cannot be legally licensed to drive here. China does not accept the permit Australia issues, so there is no paperwork that makes you a licensed driver. Every Australian travel insurance policy excludes claims arising from driving unlicensed, which means a crash is uninsured - your medical costs, the vehicle, and anyone you injure.
More China essentials
China visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to China
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
China eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
China travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
China money and cards
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
China airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
China travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in China
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: International Driving Permit: which countries Australians need one for
How these comparisons are made
Licence and permit rules come from the destination's road authority and the Australian motoring clubs that issue International Driving Permits, and each page states whether an IDP is legally required, required in practice by hire companies, or genuinely not needed - three different situations most sites blur into one. Read the full editorial policy.
China driving FAQs
Can I drive in China on my Australian licence?
No. China doesn't recognise International Driving Permits at all. You'd need a temporary Chinese permit, available at some airports and vehicle administration offices. Most visitors use Didi, the metro and high-speed rail instead.
Planning China?
We will send you the China guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.