Airport Driving Permit Counters in China: Terminal Locations & Same-Day Issuance
You do not need to wait days or navigate suburban government complexes to obtain a Chinese driving permit. Major gateway airports—including Beijing Capital (PEK), Beijing Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX), and Chengdu Tianfu (TFU)—feature dedicated Traffic Police Service Stations directly inside arrival terminals. Review verified counter locations, operating schedules, and step-by-step landing procedures below.
Major Airport Traffic Service Stations Directory
Verified terminal locations, operating hours, weekend schedules, and walking directions
Beijing Capital International Airport
After clearing customs in Terminal 3 Arrival Hall, exit through Gate B. Proceed past the central ground transportation desk toward the public administrative service corridor. Look for the blue illuminated sign reading “公安交通管理服务站” (Public Security Traffic Management Service Station).
Beijing Daxing International Airport
Exit international baggage claim into the 1F Arrival Public Zone. Turn right and walk 100 meters toward the Transportation Integrated Service Counter. The Daxing Traffic Police station is integrated with the municipal foreigner service desk.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
From Terminal 2 International Arrivals, follow overhead signs toward the Maglev Train & Metro Line 2. The traffic service station is situated within the integrated transport hub concourse between T1 and T2.
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
From Terminal 3 International Arrivals, take the escalator to the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) 2nd floor. The Shenzhen Traffic Police Foreigner Service Kiosk is located adjacent to Gate 14.
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
Arriving at Terminal 1 (International), proceed through customs to the GTC connecting bridge. The Traffic Police station is situated near the High-Speed Railway ticketing office on Level 2.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Exit Terminal 2 International Arrivals, proceed toward the GTC Metro Station entrance. Follow signage for "Administrative Public Services" on the 1st floor.
Step-by-Step Airport Arrival to Car Rental Workflow
From deplaning to driving onto the airport expressway in 6 chronological stages
Clear Immigration & Obtain Ink Entry Stamp
Pass through the National Immigration Administration (NIA) border inspection lanes. Ensure the immigration officer clearly inks your passport with the official port-of-entry chop (入境章) displaying your entry date and visa class.
Collect Baggage & Retrieve Physical Paperwork
Retrieve your checked luggage from the baggage carousel. Before leaving the secure customs zone, ensure your folder containing original passport, home driver’s license, and certified translation is in hand.
Navigate to Airport Traffic Management Station
Follow terminal overhead signage for “Traffic Management Service Station” (公安交警车管服务站) or Ground Transportation Center (GTC). Present your documents to the counter receptionist.
Submit Dossier & Complete Health Declaration
Hand over your passport, entry visa/stamp, domestic license, certified translation, and photos. The officer will verify credentials, take your electronic fingerprint, and have you sign a 1-page health declaration.
Pay Statutory Fee & Receive Paper Permit
Pay the official administrative permit fee (standard 10 RMB, payable via Alipay, WeChat Pay, or cash). The officer prints your laminated Provisional Driving Permit (临时机动车驾驶许可) with your photo affixed.
Proceed to Airport Car Rental Counter
Walk to your pre-booked rental agency counter (e.g. eHi Car Rental located in the airport parking garage or GTC). Present your new provisional permit, passport, and credit card to sign the rental agreement.
Late-Night Flights & Weekend Landings: Contingency Protocols
How to handle arrival times outside standard traffic police operating windows
Flight Lands After Counter Closing Hours (e.g. 21:00 Arrival)
Action: Take an airport taxi, subway, or hotel shuttle to your pre-booked accommodation. Schedule your car rental pickup for the following morning. Return to the airport counter at 09:00 or visit the municipal Vehicle Administration Office (车管所) closest to your hotel.
Landing on a Saturday or Sunday at Hubs Without Weekend Service
Action: Either arrive via a 7-day hub like Beijing Daxing (PKX) or Shenzhen (SZX), or spend your initial weekend exploring the arrival city via metro/taxi. Pick up your permit and rental vehicle first thing Monday morning.
Arriving at a Regional Airport Without an Airport Permit Station (e.g. Xi’an, Kunming, Guilin)
Action: Head directly to the municipal City Vehicle Administration Office (市公安局交警支队车辆管理所) on the next business day. Major provincial capitals process provisional permits smoothly at their central foreigner licensing desks.
Landing at Regional Airports: Downtown Chēguǎnsuǒ Transfer Guide
For airports without dedicated in-terminal stations (XIY, KMG, CKG, HGH, KWL), use these verified city vehicle administration centers
While China’s top 5 international gateways maintain stations directly inside the passenger terminals, secondary entry airports do not yet offer on-arrival licensing windows. If landing at these destinations, plan to visit the municipal Vehicle Administration Office (车管所, Chēguǎnsuǒ) on the next business morning:
Show this exact message to airport information desk staff or traffic police officers at the service station:
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Airport Driving Permits
Factual answers on processing speeds, queues, fees, and rental pickups
Q1.Can I pick up my rental car at the airport if I land at night and get the permit tomorrow?
No. Licensed car rental operators in China (including eHi Car Rental and CAR Inc.) are strictly prohibited by commercial transportation regulations from releasing a vehicle to any driver who does not present an active, physically issued Chinese Provisional Driving Permit or full Chinese driver’s license. Rental agents will not hand over car keys based on promises to obtain the permit the next day.
Q2.What is the official government fee for issuing a Provisional Driving Permit at the airport?
The statutory government issuance fee under National Development and Reform Commission price guidelines is exactly 10 RMB (approx. $1.40 USD). If you need on-site ID photographs, automated photo kiosks charge an additional 15 to 25 RMB. If on-site translation is required at hubs offering it, authorized translation desks charge 120 to 180 RMB.
Q3.Do I need an advance appointment to visit an airport traffic service station?
No. Airport traffic police service counters operate on a walk-in, first-come first-served queue ticket system for arriving international passengers. You do not need to register on the municipal "12123" traffic app or book appointments through local government WeChat portals. Simply pull a queue ticket upon arrival.
Q4.How long is the Provisional Driving Permit issued at the airport valid for?
The permit validity strictly mirrors your legal stay period granted by the National Immigration Administration. For short-term tourists on 15-day or 30-day visa-free entry, or standard 30-to-90-day L tourist visas, the permit is valid for the exact duration of your current entry stay (up to a statutory maximum of 3 months per single entry).
Q5.Can I drive outside the province where the airport permit was issued?
Yes. Even though the permit is physically printed by a specific municipal traffic police detachment (e.g., Beijing Public Security Bureau or Shanghai Public Security Bureau), it is a sovereign document issued under Ministry of Public Security Order No. 162. It is legally valid across all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities of Mainland China.
Q6.What happens if my certified translation has not arrived before I land?
If you land at Beijing Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), or Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX), you can utilize the on-site translation service kiosks located right next to the traffic service desk (approx. 30–60 min turnaround). If you land at Beijing Capital (PEK) or Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), there are no on-site commercial translation kiosks; you must either wait for an express courier to your hotel or visit a downtown translation firm.
Q7.Is there an eye exam or physical medical test at the airport counter?
Under MPS Order No. 162, foreign tourists applying for short-term provisional permits (under 3 months) for small passenger cars (C1/C2) are exempt from comprehensive hospital physical examinations. You only need to complete a brief written health declaration questionnaire at the counter confirming you do not suffer from epilepsy, severe mental illness, or red-green color blindness.
Q8.Can I pay the airport counter fee with an international Visa or Mastercard?
Government administrative counters in China generally do not accept foreign credit cards directly. However, they accept Alipay and WeChat Pay (which can be linked to international Visa/Mastercard credit cards), UnionPay cards, and Chinese RMB cash. Ensure you have small denomination RMB cash (10–50 RMB) or your Alipay app activated with an international card before reaching the counter.
Q9.Can two people apply together to be authorized drivers on the same rental car?
Yes. Each traveler wishing to drive must independently submit their own document packet, take photos, and obtain their own individual Provisional Driving Permit. Once both permits are issued, you can register both individuals as authorized drivers at the rental counter, allowing you to alternate driving duties during long road trips.
Q10.What should I do if the airport counter staff do not speak fluent English?
While airport service counters handle international travelers regularly, English proficiency varies among individual police officers on duty. Keep our bilingual prompt card open on your smartphone screen, which clearly states in official Chinese legal terminology that you are applying for a provisional permit under MPS Order 162. Hand over your neatly organized document folder; the paperwork speaks for itself.
Q11.Can I obtain a permit at Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) or Beijing Nanyuan?
Beijing Nanyuan Airport is permanently closed. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) primarily serves domestic flights and limited regional short-haul routes (Tokyo Haneda, Seoul Gimpo); its on-site traffic police counter has limited foreigner licensing facilities. If arriving in Shanghai on a long-haul flight, Pudong (PVG) is the designated primary processing hub.
Q12.What if I am entering China via high-speed rail from Hong Kong (West Kowloon)?
At Hong Kong West Kowloon High-Speed Railway Station, the Mainland Port Area applies mainland immigration and customs clearance. However, there is no vehicle administration service station inside the train station. Once you arrive at Shenzhen North (深圳北站) or Futian Station, you can visit the nearby Shenzhen Municipal Vehicle Administration Center or Bao’an Airport hub to obtain your permit.