Shanghai Foreign Driver License Conversion (Hami Road 1330)
Shanghai’s First Branch (一分所) on Hami Road in Changning District is the most streamlined foreign licensing hall in China: self-service vision kiosks, photo booths, translation audit, and the English computer exam room are all inside Building 1 & Building 2.
Done directly inside Hami Road Building 1 using the smart self-service medical & photo booth (自助体检拍照一体机), or at the adjacent medical annex.
Must contain your official 3–4 character Chinese legal name and either a licensed Shanghai translation agency red seal or SISU/Notary stamp.
Booking lead time: 2 to 5 business days ahead via Traffic Management 12123 App.
上海市公安局交警总队车辆管理所一分所
No. 1330 Hami Road, Changning District, Shanghai
上海市长宁区哈密路1330号（近可乐路，1号楼/2号楼）
¥140 RMB Total (¥85 Medical + ¥15 Photo + ¥40 Exam + ¥10 Card)
⚡ Card Issuance: Yes — laminated 6-year card printed 20 mins after passing 90/100
4-Step Hall Procedure at Shanghai (Hami Rd)
Download Your Electronic Residence Registration Slip on Suishenban
Shanghai accepts the PDF printout of the Electronic Temporary Residence Registration Form (境外人员住宿登记表) generated inside the Suishenban (随申办) WeChat/Alipay mini-program. Print it on A4 paper before heading to Changning.
Make sure the passport number on your Suishenban residence PDF matches your current passport. If you renewed your passport recently, update the police registration online first.
Shanghai Vehicle Management Branches & Foreign Service Windows
| DMV Branch Name | Address | Foreign Exam & Services | Medical Check | Expat Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hami Road Branch No. 1 (Main Hub) 车管所一分所（长宁哈密路） | No. 1330 Hami Road, Changning District | Yes — Full English Terminal Hall | Yes — On-site Booth & Annex | Closest to downtown Puxi & Hongqiao; highest English-speaking staff proficiency. |
Qinchun Road Branch No. 2 (Minhang) 车管所二分所（闵行沁春路） | No. 179 Qinchun Road, Xinzhuang, Minhang District | Yes — By 12123 Appointment | Yes — Building 3 Medical Room | Convenient for expats living in Minhang, Xuhui, or Songjiang university town. |
Hunan Road Branch No. 3 (Pudong) 车管所三分所（浦东沪南公路） | No. 2638 Hunan Highway, Pudong New Area | Yes — Building 1 Overseas Desk | Yes — On-site Physical Center | Best option for residents in Jinqiao, Kangqiao, Lujiazui, and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park. |
Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone Service Station 自贸区警务站境外换证点 | Fute West 1st Road, Waigaoqiao FTZ, Pudong | Document Audit + Scheduled Exam | Nearby Designated Clinic | Serves corporate expats registered inside Pudong Free Trade Zone enterprises. |
Driving in Shanghai After Getting Your License: Elevated Road & Plate Rules
Holding a Shanghai-issued C1/C2 driving license lets you drive any passenger car nationwide, but Shanghai enforces strict elevated expressway restrictions based on the vehicle’s license plate.
Non-Shanghai Plates (外牌) & Temporary Plates: Elevated Road Rush-Hour Ban
Vehicles without a local Shanghai downtown plate (沪A/B/D/E/F) are banned from Shanghai’s Inner Ring, Yan’an Elevated Road, North-South Elevated Road, and Lupu/Nanpu Bridges from 07:00 to 20:00 on weekdays (except weekends and public holidays).
Inner Ring Ground Streets Peak Ban for Non-Local Plates
In addition to elevated highways, surface streets inside the Inner Ring Road (内环内地面道路) restrict non-Shanghai passenger cars during weekday morning (07:00–09:00) and evening (17:00–19:00) commuter windows.
Shanghai Green EV Plates (沪A·D/F) Enjoy 100% Full Access
When renting a car on Trip.com or eHi in Shanghai, always request a local Shanghai Green Plate EV (沪A新能源) or local Blue Plate (沪A/沪B). They can drive on all elevated roads and tunnels 24/7.
5 High-Frequency Subject 1 Questions Tested at Shanghai (Hami Rd)
When approaching a pedestrian crosswalk in Shanghai without traffic lights where pedestrians are crossing, what must you do?
Ready to practice the full 100-question computer exam before your appointment at Shanghai (Hami Rd)?
Launch Full 100-Q Mock ExamFrequently Asked Questions — Shanghai DMV
Do I have to go to Hami Road Branch 1, or can I go to Pudong Hunan Road Branch 3?
Both Hami Road (Branch 1 in Changning), Qinchun Road (Branch 2 in Minhang), and Hunan Road (Branch 3 in Pudong) process foreign license conversions and have English exam terminals. Hami Road is the most popular because it is closest to downtown Puxi and processes the highest daily volume of expats.
Can I convert my license at Hami Road on a 30-day Visa-Free entry or short-term L visa?
For a full 6-year Chinese driver’s license (which requires the Subject 1 computer exam), Shanghai DMV branches generally require a residence permit or a visa with at least 90 days of permitted stay per entry. If you are on a 15/30-day visa-free stay or 240h transit, go to Pudong Airport (PVG) or Hami Road to get a 3-month Temporary Driving Permit with zero exam.
Can I walk in without an appointment on the 12123 App?
Document verification and medical checks can often be done walk-in, but the Subject 1 computer testing seat requires a reservation slot on the Traffic Management 12123 App (交管12123) or Suishenban. Always book your slot 3–5 days in advance.
How is my Chinese name chosen on the driver’s license?
Chinese DMV systems require a 2-to-4 character Chinese name on your translation form. If your work permit or residence registration already lists an official Chinese name, use that exact character sequence so your records match.