Entering China?
 

Hi, just read Nixa's entry and there seems a lot to consider? I'm planning on entering China from Kazakhstan. Getting a visa doesn't seem to be a problem but what about the bike?

Did a search (top right of page - under toratech add)

on 'china motorcycle' in forum 'sourthern asia' .. lots of info there ..

happy reading...

China!!!
 

:welcome: Thanks for that Frank... managed to get some info.


A: Getting a tourist visa is not a problem for UK citizens.
B: Chinese embassy said I will need to have a guide booked through an agency or you won't get in. The agency will organize your driving license, number plates and other documentation.

Found a few agencies, well one that can do what I want, but the guide will be in a car? Not found out a price but they have suggested finding a few people to help with the costs?? I'm going through China so something will have to be booked (any angencies you know of, please, let me know). When I do this I'll let one and all know and look for buddies?

I've read threads from people about travelling through China but they all seem to be from 2006? Recent... as in anything post May 2007 would be good, the more info the better.

:thumbup1: Dave.

Dave,

look through the Northern Asia forum on the HUBB:detective:... LOADS of stuff there after May 07

John

Dave I've had a quote back which really wasn't what I'd asked for at all, and it was priced per person - which makes sharing a bit odd.

It's on the China-Guide Sharing thread.

Sharing
 

Hi Alex, saw that thread and spoke to the guys... mulling it over!

Chinese Driving License
 

Well found out some more info. Found a site where you can buy a chinese Driving license (sent an email just to make sure what I was reading, so will wait to see what they say?) and if this is the case then half the hassle of entering the country is covered... might not need a guide?
Here's the site

Service for Expats/Foreigner - You are here >>> China Driver License

Even with a licence .. 'they' say you need a guide ..
When I got my licence .. it came with a complete medical check up. Just so you know.

But-
 

On that site though there's the following list of papers required before you apply (my highlighting)

The documents needed to apply a China Driver License for Foreigners.

1. 1 Copy of the Passport Page
2. 1 Copy of the valid Chinese Visa
3. 1 Copy of the latest Entry Stamp in your Passport
4. 1 Copy of both Sides of Oversea Driving License
5. 8 one-inch color Pictures with white background (full Face,no profile,remove Spectacles if worn)
6. Your chinese Name
7. Height
8. Deposit: 2000 RMB

It's the latest Entry Stamp, that might be the killer as it implies you have to be in country before you can use these people. Also their processing time is 15-21 days, which is a lot of time sat twiddling your headnuts at the border. Still it might be worth a shot.

Last entry
 

Hi, I sent an email asking about this point, waiting to hear back. Will let you know how it goes.
Dave.

A reply...
 

I had this from Lisa (hope it's Ok to post it here):

Please access my website and then you will know what you need ready to apply the license.(any visa is ok to apply the license) The license is used to drive car not motorcyle.
www.china-driving-license.com



The total fee is 4200RMB if you come to written test.

You can scan all of your documents to me by email and then take a photo with digital camera with white wall background and then download it to me.


After I get all documents, I check all documents are ok, I will send you my bank datas. and then you can send the deposit to me by bank. Then I will start paper works in the notary department and police department. and we can wait for the written test date. Once I get the written test date, I will inform you by phone.



Can you come to Guangzhou for written test? But our translator will pass the test for you, you only need be there to sign your chinese name, No more things to do. After you finish test, you will get it after 10 -15 days.

Also if you can not come to test, The price will be 5500rmb,We can replace you to pass the test too, But The time will be longer,It will take about 35-40 working days to get it because not everyday we have the chance to replace you for the test.


if you need it, please send all to me ASAP.
Yes, you need be in China to apply the license with entry stamp.

If you have more questions, please contact us for details.


13902874789

Regards,
Lisa

So, not a lot of good for bikers, and no use if you're not in country, but I guess it could be an option for some.

Lisa
 

This is what she sent me.


The below message is the whole procedure for your Ref and my answer is under you questions, please check it.

Please access my website and then you will know what you need ready to apply the license.(any visa is ok to apply the license) The license is used to drive car not motorcyle.
www.china-driving-license.com



The total fee is 4200RMB if you come to written test.

You can scan all of your documents to me by email and then take a photo with digital camera with white wall background and then download it to me.


After I get all documents, I check all documents are ok, I will send you my bank datas. and then you can send the deposit to me by bank. Then I will start paper works in the notary department and police department. and we can wait for the written test date. Once I get the written test date, I will inform you by phone.



Can you come to guangzhou for written test? But our translator will pass the test for you, you only need be there to sign your chinese name, No more things to do. After you finish test, you will get it after 10 -15 days.

Also if you can not come to test, The price will be 5500rmb,We can replace you to pass the test too, But The time will be longer,It will take about 35-40 working days to get it because not everyday we have the chance to replace you for the test.


if you need it, please send all to me ASAP.


If you have more questions, please contact us for details.


13902874789

Regards,
Lisa


David Findlater <drfindlater@yahoo.co.uk> дµÀ£º

Hi, I plan on visiting China later this year and I've a few questions about the driving license. How long is the license valid for? My name is David Findlater, so what would my Chinese name be? And what does "a copy of last entry stamp" mean, I've a new passport with no stamps!
Many thanks David Findlater.

The license valid is for 6 years. And you can select one Chinese name for you, I will confirm the name with your passport and oversea driver license in the notary department.then the name is legal.

The last entry stamp means when you enter into China, The police make a stamp on your passport. you can scan the stamp from your old passport to me.

Regards,
Lisa

China driver license and china visa extension service
 

Now if you can not go to test to get the china driver license, The total fee is 4900RMB. one month ago the price was adjusted down. if you need it, please contact us.

Lisareckleben@hotmail.com
Chinese Driving License Service for Expats/Foreigner
13902874789

Lisa

Don't worry about any of the paperwork. Your tour agency will take care of it. We got temporary licences and plates for our trip.

And who, out of interest is your tour agency?

Don't you just hate it when that happens....

Does anyone have a list of the agencies they tried and the quotes they were given?

Here is an easier and less costly solution to entering china....

Your chance to go to China! - MyChinaMoto

BTW, not mine, don't know the guy, but someone in Germany can vouche for him, I am sure!

The licences provided by the agencies are fake licences - this is a con.

The only way you can get a proper Chinese licence is by obtaining Chinese residency then sitting the test locally. It is a time consuming process and wil take a month or so to obtain.

The alternative is just to ignore the requirement for a licence. I did this and in 2008 rode for over a month in China with constant interactions with the police and never once being asked if I had a local licence.

Garry from Oz.

farquar, did you import a bike, or buy a local one?

FAKE be carefull!!!!
 

www.china-driving-license.com get you a FAKE driver license.
they give some countryside police station money to issue the license illiegal to you. so its worth nothing if your really have an accident!!!
be carefull. better drive without a license and just speak english to the police that stop you. but dont try it with a fake one!!!
dont trust any of this crappy websites that tell you with money they can get you everything.

check the AVIS website for more detailed info
AvisChina

no resident permit, no driver license. simple as that!

or take a organized tour, they will get you a real but temporary chinese driver license

Simon, I bought my bike brand new (Haobon 125) in Qinzhou, on the Chinese side of the border of Vietnam and China.

I rode without any legitimate papers - no licence, no registration, no insurance and no official ownership papers.

I am not condoning my actions, nor recommending anyone else do the same, but it worked for me in a very positive way. At one point I even got to ride a local police bike with a local policeman on the back :cool4: - this would never happen in any other country.

Garry from Oz.

G'Day,

Scam catches foreign drivers

Shanghai Daily Newspaper 2007-6-31

SOME foreign motorists in the city may be driving illegally and be unaware of it thanks to a bogus application ruse.

Overseas drivers living in Shanghai should only apply for a Chinese driving license with local police.

Shanghai traffic police made the clarification yesterday following reports that some agencies are charging expatriates thousands of yuan to have licenses issued out of town. These licenses are not legitimate.

Shanghai Morning Post broke the story on Thursday after an undercover investigation of the agencies.

With photocopies of the driver's passport, driving license from his or her own country and head-shot photos, clients are told to expect a Chinese driving license, issued by out of town authorities, after a week to 40 days, the newspaper said.

The foreign clients don't need to show up in person but only pass on the material to agents and wait for the licenses to arrive.

Agents charge between about 2,000 yuan (US$263) and 5,000 yuan for the service.

Shanghai Daily interviewed officers from the vehicle administration office under the General Team of Traffic Police who said licenses required by the agents are illegal.

Foreign drivers should swap them for a driving license issued by traffic authorities in their exact area of residence.

Shanghai traffic police are investigating the matter.

"Expatriates with a Shanghai-issued residents' permit, should only apply for a driving license issued by Shanghai traffic police," said a police officer with vehicle administration.

It costs 40 yuan to sit for a test on computer in Chinese road traffic rules. You can obtain a Chinese driving license the same day you pass the exam after paying 15 yuan for certification.

To apply for the test, the expatriate need to come to the police office on 1179 Qingchun Road, with head-shot photos and a hospital-issued physical exam report. Applicants also need to take the driving license issued in their own country.

Police said that international driving license holders are not allowed to drive in China before gaining a Chinese license. Questions about applying for a Chinese driving license should be directed to a hotline, 24023456.

*********************************************

Foreigners warned on out-of-town driving license

Shanghai Daily Newspaper 2007-6-30

SHANGHAI police have warned local foreigners not to buy driver's licenses from out-of-town driving schools.

For those who want a driver's license, the application procedure for a local-registered one takes only one day and a small sum of money, police said. Passing a written test is a must.

For those who hold no license, police suggest them to learn to drive and sit for tests in the city.

Foreigners in Shanghai have been targets of out-of-town driving schools since last August when the schools' business with city residents was ruined by local police.

They were offering a driver's license service that required no written or road test to lure foreigners, said an insider surnamed Zhang.

"The schools offer 'apartment service,' which suited many foreign people," Zhang said.

They usually find it too troublesome to go to a city to do registration.

A salesperson would knock at the door, collect some basic information, get the fingerprints and photos and take copies of the passport.

Then, all in need to do is to wait patiently for at least 40 days when the applicant will receive a driver's license that has been registered outside Shanghai.

"Though foreigners have to pay 1,000 yuan (US$131) more and wait longer, they find it convenient and efficient," Zhang said.

Local students usually pay between 2,600 yuan to 4,200 yuan to get such a license from out-of-town driving schools. It takes at least 5,000 yuan from local schools.

Training outside of the city allows students to get a license quickly. Local regulations require drivers to do 86 hours of in-car training, and they can't spend more than six hours a day on training.

Drivers must also wait at least 40 days between taking a written test and sitting the actual driving test. The whole procedure may take three months.

Other provinces don't have similar regulations, so students can get a license much quicker.

Tokyokid and you seem to have figured out one of the only real ways to ride in China. You buy a local, Chinese-registered bike.

The other way is to join an organized tour in China (where you ride their bikes).

I, personally, would go with an enduro, but that is just my preference. From what I understand, you need to find a local to be on the paperwork to buy a bike, and then it is all (mostly) legitimate, fudging just a little, LOL

Yep, that's about it. I was able to arrange purchase through Supersignet - his Chinese partner was officially the owner of the bike.

Off road bikes are few and far between in China - there were none in Guanxi province (which has a 150cc capacity limit) where I purchased. If you want an enduro I suggest you head up to Chongqing province where there is a much broader range of bikes (most of the Chinese bike factories are in Chongqing) and you can buy larger capacity bikes (up to 250cc).

Having said that I was amazed well my ostensible road bike handled the rough stuff. I travelled many kilometres on gravel and dirt tracks - the back roads in China are a real experience and have been allowed to degrade substantially now that the freeways are in place for the majority of car and truck traffic.

Garry from Oz.

be carefull who you can trust here, the chinese usually help you in buying something only when they also gain something.
the bike i bought 3 years ago from a shop had papers and license plate
and police confirmed they where real but later found out they dublicated licenses for many bikes, so it was worth nothing.

my solution was to get married to a chinese girl and let her register my bike :clap:
hehe just kidding.:thumbup1:
:Beach: