driving in hong kong China

[babymommy2]

Does anyone know, if you hold a drivers liscence in another country and you are in hong kong , can you drive, or do you have to get a local drivers liscence? what about China?

[MLBW]

If you have a valid US driver's license you can get a driving permit in HK without taking a test--you may not even have to get an extra permit but can drive with your US license. In Mainland China in order to legally drive there you have to pass the ML Chinese driving test which is this really long, arbitrary exam written in Chinese and sometimes poorly translated into English. I have a friend who was a headmaster of a school in New Zealand and he had to take that test 6 times in order to pass it! How did he finally pass it? He memorized the answer key because he had taken the test so many times! However, I do know there are ways around this test if you know the right people and have the right connections. For example, my husband didn't have to take the test but got a ML China license anyway.

[Buckeroo]

From the government website:

3. Driving in Hong Kong for Overseas Driving Licence Holders

For overseas driving licence holders who wish to drive in Hong Kong, they may do so through one of the following means-
(a) Apply for a full driving licence by direct issue without test;
(b) Apply for a temporary driving licence; or
(c) Driving on strength of their valid overseas driving licence or international driving permit if they are visitors to Hong Kong (visitors mean that they arrive at Hong Kong other than to take up residence for a period not exceeding 12 months).

More info here:
http://www.td.gov.hk/public_services...nce_/index.htm

[JoTs]

I think it depends on what country your license is from. Mine is a UK license... I just applied for a HK one, it's a bit pricey but no need to do another test.

If you are a visitor to HK you don't need to get a HK license, but as soon as you have a HKID card, you need to get a HK driving license.

[Buckeroo]

You're right, JoTs. There are certain countries where you still have to take a test before they will issue a HK driver's license to you, even if you already have a valid license from the home country.

For a list of countries where you can simply apply for a HK license without having to take the test, see this link:

http://www.td.gov.hk/public_services...ix_c/index.htm

[kiwiinoz]

If you are from Australia or New Zealand you don't need to take a test either. But you must have a passport that is also from the same country as your overseas license, OR if you have a passport different from that nationality of your drivers license have not have left the country you hold the drivers license in for six months from the time your drivers license was issued.
Despite the fact you may be able to prove you lived in a country for years they are very strict on the 6 month without traveling outside the country rule. Apparently it happens a lot and can cause a lot of headaches... as I experienced first hand.

If you are a resident in HK, you can not drive on your overseas license and must obtain a HK license.

Good Luck!