Beijing Foreign Driver License Conversion (Jingchao DMV)
Expats in Chaoyang, Sanlitun, and Shunyi process their 6-year Chinese C1/C2 license primarily through the Jingchao Branch (京朝分所) at Shibalidian or the Municipal Foreign Service Center. Learn Beijing’s unique pre-hospital medical rule and two-visit workflow.
Complete your driver physical check FIRST at a Beijing Traffic Police networked hospital (联网医院) or the Shenghua Inspection Ground clinic next to Jingchao DMV.
Beijing accepts self-translated or agency-stamped translations written on the standard Beijing DMV template, provided your Chinese name and vehicle class match.
Booking lead time: 5 to 10 business days between doc verification & test via Traffic Management 12123 App.
北京市公安局公安交通管理局车辆管理所京朝分所
South of Shibalidian Bridge, Southeast 4th Ring Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
北京市朝阳区十八里店乡老君堂甲3号（京朝车管分所 / 盛华检测场旁）
¥130 RMB Total (¥20–40 Hospital Check + ¥50 Exam + ¥10 Card + Photos)
⚡ Card Issuance: Usually 2 Visits in Beijing (Visit 1: Doc Audit & Booking; Visit 2: Exam & Card)
4-Step Hall Procedure at Beijing (Jingchao)
Get Your Driver Vision Certificate at Shenghua Clinic or a Networked Hospital
Unlike Shanghai’s all-in-one kiosk, Beijing requires your medical record (身体条件证明) to be electronically transmitted by a networked medical facility first. The easiest spot is the driver physical clinic right next to Jingchao DMV (at Shenghua Inspection Center) or Raffles/Chaoyang Hospital.
Bring two 1-inch white-background color photos to the clinic; the doctor stamps the paper receipt and uploads your digital clearance to the Beijing 12123 system.
Beijing Vehicle Management Branches & Foreign Service Windows
| DMV Branch Name | Address | Foreign Exam & Services | Medical Check | Expat Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jingchao Branch (Shibalidian) 京朝车管分所（朝阳十八里店） | Laojuntang Jia No. 3, Shibalidian, Chaoyang District | Yes — Primary East Beijing Exam Hall | Yes — Adjacent Shenghua Medical Point | Most popular branch for expats in Sanlitun, Guomao, Wangjing, and Lido. |
Jingshun Branch (Shunyi Houshayu) 京顺车管分所（顺义后沙峪） | Siwei Road, Houshayu Town, Shunyi District | Yes — Full English Terminal Support | Yes — Nearby Shunyi Designated Clinic | Closest to international school families in Shunyi & Capital Airport (PEK). |
Jinghai Branch (Haidian Beianhe) 京海车管分所（海淀北安河） | No. 69 Beianhe Road, Haidian District | Yes — Serves University & Tech Expats | Networked Haidian Hospitals | Ideal for foreign faculty and students in Wudaokou, Zhongguancun, and Haidian. |
Beijing Municipal DMV Headquarters (Nansishuan) 北京市交管局车辆管理所总所（南四环） | No. 18 South 4th Ring East Road, Chaoyang District | Diplomatic & Complex Foreign Dossiers | Adjacent Service Center | Handles diplomatic licenses, bilateral treaty swaps (France/Belgium/UAE/Serbia), and complex cases. |
Driving in Beijing After Conversion: Tail-Number Rotation & 5th Ring Rules
Beijing enforces China’s strictest capital traffic management rules. Even with a Beijing driver’s license, you must obey weekday license plate tail-number rotations and 5th Ring Road rules.
Weekday Tail-Number Restriction (尾号限行) Inside the 5th Ring Road
Every Beijing passenger car (`京` plate) is banned from driving inside the 5th Ring Road (excluding the 5th Ring itself) one weekday per week from 07:00 to 20:00 based on the last digit of its license plate (rotating every 13 weeks). Pure electric vehicles (`京A` green EV plates) are EXEMPT!
Out-of-Town Plates Require a Beijing Entry Pass (进京证)
If you drive a rental or private car without a `京` plate inside the 6th Ring Road, you must apply for an electronic Beijing Entry Pass (进京通行证) on the Beijing JiaoJing App, limited to 7 days per pass and 12 times per calendar year.
Chang’an Avenue & Second Ring Road Restrictions
Non-Beijing plates and temporary airport permits with out-of-province cars cannot enter the 2nd Ring Road main road or Chang’an Avenue between 06:00 and 22:00. Always rent a local `京` plate vehicle in Beijing.
5 High-Frequency Subject 1 Questions Tested at Beijing (Jingchao)
What is the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold for Drunk Driving (醉酒驾驶 — criminal offense) in China?
Ready to practice the full 100-question computer exam before your appointment at Beijing (Jingchao)?
Launch Full 100-Q Mock ExamFrequently Asked Questions — Beijing DMV
Can I complete the entire Beijing license conversion in a single day like in Shanghai?
For bilateral mutual-recognition countries (France, Belgium, UAE, Serbia, HK, Macau) that do not require the Subject 1 test, yes—you get your license on the first visit. If you need to take the English Subject 1 computer test, Beijing usually schedules the exam a few days after your initial document verification visit.
Where do I get the Accommodation Registration Form in Beijing?
If you live in an apartment, go to your neighborhood police station (派出所) with your lease, landlord ID copy, and passport to print the paper Registration Form of Temporary Residence for Visitors (临时住宿登记表). If you stay in a hotel, ask the front desk to print the official PSB registration slip with their hotel stamp.
Does my foreign license translation need to be notarized in Beijing?
Beijing DMV offices are actually quite flexible with the translation: as long as all fields (issuing country, class, validity, and your chosen Chinese name) are accurately translated into Chinese on A4 paper (using our Free Translation Template Generator), Jingchao and Jingshun accept it without expensive notary fees.
Why should I rent a Green Plate EV in Beijing once I get my license?
Pure electric passenger cars with Beijing Green Plates (京A·D) are exempt from the weekday tail-number restriction (尾号限行), meaning you can drive inside the 5th Ring Road every day of the week.