Driving License in China

Driving in china requires a chinese driving license. Foriegners cannot drive unless they get a chinese driving license.

My wife lives in China and has a business there. I visit typically five times a year for about a month each time. I have a multiple-entry family visit visa which enables this.

I have seen conflicting advice about whether a residence permit is required to obtain a chinese driving license. I am not interested in working or studying or being a journalist in China. I am also not in a position to live there continuously for more than 9 months, or for five years.

Is it actually a requirement to have a temporary or permanent residence permit, to get a Chinese driving license ? The personal stories I have read, about people who actually got a driving license in China, mention their residence permits ( which they had because they are working there ), but do not clearly say whether having a residence permit is a requirement.