Traffic Regulations

Ⅰ   Traffic rules which drivers of motor vehicles should comply with:
1.  Carry valid licenses issued by the traffic administration agency of the public security bureau;
2.  Do not use altered, forged, diverted or deceitfully acquired license plate, driver’s license, pass or other certificates for transport administration;
3. Do not drive motor vehicles with partly damaged license plate or indistinguishable license plate because of cover, stain or damage;
4.  Do not use a cell phone or check text messages when driving or throw items out of the vehicle, which may affect road safety;
5.  Do not use invalid certificates related to traffic administration;
6.  Do not park on a no-parking road section, even temporarily; when stopping temporarily on a road section where parking is not prohibited, the driver should stay in the vehicle, and the vehicle should not hinder the traffic or endanger public safety;
7.  Do not practice driving on a road;
8.  Give way to public buses entering or exiting a bus station;
9.  Carry a working fire extinguisher in the vehicle;
10.  Abide by all other traffic rules promulgated by governments at all levels in the People’s Republic of China.

Ⅱ   License Plate
After having a motor vehicle shipped in from other countries or having bought a motor vehicle in Chinese territory, the owner may apply for a license plate at the Vehicle Division of the Traffic Administration of the Wuhan Public Security Bureau.
Tel: 4008-000-122
Add: No.8, Youyi Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan
To apply for a motor vehicle license plate, the following documents should be presented:
1.  A certificate identifying the source of the vehicle. If the vehicle is purchased overseas, License Plate Issuance or Removal Notification for Imported or Exported Vehicle Supervised by the Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China issued by Wuhan Customs District People’s Republic of China should be presented. If the vehicle is purchased in China, a motor vehicle sales receipt and vehicle quality certificate should be presented;
2.  Identity paper means: the passport or another travel document with which he or she has entered China, a valid visa or residence permit allowing the holder to remain in China for at least 6 months,, and a residence registration certificate issued by the pubic security bureau, if the applicant is a foreign citizen; a valid identity paper issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if the applicant is a staff member of a foreign diplomatic mission in China, or of a representative office of an international organization in China;
3.  The certificate of payment of vehicle purchase tax or tax exemption;
4.  The original of the triplicate of the receipt of the premium payment for the compulsory vehicle accident insurance.
The Vehicle Division will check and verify the submitted documents. If the vehicle is under the supervision of customs or is produced in China without being exempted from inspection, it shall receive Power-driven Vehicles Safety Technology Inspection. If the vehicle passes the verification, the Division will, within two days after the acceptance of application, confirm the motor vehicle, check the rubbing membrane of the vehicle identification code, examine the submitted certificates, and issue vehicle registration certificate, license plate, motor vehicle license and conformity inspection mark.

Ⅲ   Driver’s License
A foreign national whose residence is in Wuhan could apply for a driver license at the Vehicle Division of the Traffic Administration of the Wuhan Public Security Bureau.
Tel: 4008-000-122
Add: No.8, Youyi Avenue, Wuchang district, Wuhan
1.  A foreign national without a foreign driver’s license who is applying for a Chinese driver’s license for the first time should present the following documents:
(1)  Motor Vehicle Driver’s License Application Form；
(2) Identity paper. For a foreign national, the identity paper refers to the passport or other travel documents with which he or she has entered China, a valid visa or residence permit allowing the holder to remain in China for at least 3 months, and a residence registration certificate issued by the pubic security bureau. For a staff member of a foreign diplomatic mission in China, or of a representative office of an international organization in China, the identity paper refers to a valid identity paper issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
(3) A certificate of physical fitness issued by a hospital at or above the country or regiment level.
With the approval of the Vehicle Division, the applicant shall sign up for a driver’s training school. After the training course and test, he or she will be granted a driving license by the vehicle division if eligible.
2.  A foreign national holding a foreign driver’s license who is applying for a Chinese driver’s license should present the following documents:
(1) Motor Vehicle Driver’s License Application Form;
(2) Identity paper. For a foreign national, the identity paper refers to the passport or other travel documents with which he or she has entered China, a valid visa or residence permit allowing the holder to remain in China for at least 3 months,, and a residence registration certificate issued by the pubic security bureau For a staff member of a foreign diplomatic mission in China, or of a representative office of an international organization in China, the identity paper refers to a valid identity paper issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
(3) A certificate of physical fitness issued by a hospital at or above the country or regiment level (this requirement is waived if the applicant is a staff member of a foreign diplomatic mission in China, or of a representative office of an international organization in China;
(4) The original and a translated version (in Chinese) of his or her valid foreign driver’s license.
With the approval of the Vehicle Division, applicants shall take a test concerning traffic rules and regulations. For driver’s license applicants of large bus, towing tractor, medium bus and large truck, real-road driving skill test is also required. The Vehicle Division will issue a driver’s license if the applicant passes the test.

Ⅳ   Insurance for Motor Vehicles
Owners or operators of motor vehicles on roads in China’s territory should purchase compulsory traffic accident insurance according to law. The vehicle administration office will not register vehicle or issue qualification labels to vehicle without such insurance.

Ⅴ   Traffic accident
1.  A driver involved in a traffic accident should stop the vehicle immediately and protect the accident scene.
2.  If any personal injury is caused to another person, the driver must immediately try to rescue the wounded and report the accident to a traffic police officer or the vehicle administration office as soon as possible. Any change of the scene by attempt to rescue the injured must be clearly marked.
3.  In the event of an accident with no personal injury, provided that there is no dispute about the details and liability and that the vehicles can be moved, both parties shall take photos of the scene or mark the location of the accident, and then move the vehicles to a place where they will not block the traffic and negotiate compensation on their own afterwards. For vehicle-damaged accident, the two parties can record each other’s contact number and go to the insurance claim service center within 24 hours for compensation. If both parties do not want to leave the scene, they must immediately report the accident to a traffic police officer and/or the vehicle administration office.

Ⅵ   Traffic Violations
A foreign national for temporary residence in China who intends to drive a vehicle should apply for a temporary Chinese driver’s license with the vehicle administration office at the port of entry or city of departure, and should carry the license, if granted, at all times and drive safely.
A foreign driver in Wuhan who has been warned or fined by a traffic police officer for a traffic violation has the right to defend himself. The interpreter of the foreign driver should interpret the officer’s statement to the foreign driver on the spot. If the foreign driver objects to the administrative penalty, he or she shall have the right to apply for administrative reconsideration or litigation in accordance with the law.
A foreign vehicle on a temporary trip to China should apply for a temporary Chinese license plate and driving license from the public security bureau in entry areas or origins of the foreign vehicle and register his or her postal address and telephone number with the proper authorities in Wuhan.
A foreign driver in Wuhan with a traffic violation captured by a surveillance camera should respond to the traffic violence notice in the Office of Traffic Illegal Records in Traffic Police Station. His or her driver’s license and motor vehicle license are required in the response.

Source：Guide for Foreigners in Wuhan