Right-hand traffic is familiar — the paperwork is not. Permits, rental rules, and road differences.
Bottom line: Singapore and China both drive on the right, so the driving feels familiar — but a Singapore licence alone is not enough. You need a Chinese temporary driving permit, issued locally with your passport, visa, licence, translation, and photos, usually the same day.
This combination — easy driving, unfamiliar paperwork — defines self-driving from Singapore. The mechanical part transfers directly; the administrative part does not. Sort the permit first and the rest of the trip is straightforward.
China does not recognise a Singapore licence on its own, and an International Driving Permit does not bridge the gap. What you need is a temporary motor vehicle driving permit tied to your passport and visa, issued by the local vehicle management office. It is a standard procedure and visitors from every country go through it.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Original, with valid Chinese visa or entry record |
| Singapore driving licence | Original physical card |
| Certified translation | Via the office or an accepted agency |
| Passport photos | Bring several spare copies |
| Hotel registration slip | Hotels file this at check-in — keep the slip |
Go early in the day and bring more copies than you expect to need. A missing photocopy is the most common reason for a second visit.
Details on deposits and cover are in the car rental guide.
Start with the road trips collection and the full self-drive guide.
Written by the TripWayes editorial team, based on the questions we most often receive from visitors from this country. This is a planning guide, not a traveler review, and it contains no user-generated ratings. Last updated: 2026-10-16
Not on its own. China requires a temporary driving permit issued locally, obtained with your passport, visa, Singapore licence, and a certified translation. Familiarity with right-hand traffic does not remove this requirement.
The side of the road is the same, which removes the biggest adjustment most visitors face. The differences are procedural: camera-enforced limits, no right turn on red, dense scooter traffic, and parking practices that vary by area.
Usually the same day — allow one to two hours at the vehicle management office. Bring your passport with a valid visa, your licence, a certified translation, and passport photos, plus your hotel registration slip.
Your passport, the temporary permit, and a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit. Debit cards are frequently refused, and minimum age and young-driver surcharges may apply.