China, France agree mutual recognition of driver’s licenses

It will soon be possible for Chinese students to drive in France with their Chinese driver’s licenses pursuant to an agreement signed by China and France on Feb 21 in Beijing.

Under the agreement, a person holding a valid native driver's license and certified translations can drive using that license or change it to a local license without testing in both China and France, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

The agreement, signed by the MPS and the French Interior Ministry, will take effect 90 days after ratification.

Mutual recognition of driver’s licenses will benefit a large number of overseas Chinese and French people by making it simple and convenient to travel, study, and work.

So far, China has arranged mutual recognition of driver’s licenses with two foreign countries, namely Belgium and the United Arab Emirates. More mutual recognitions are to be expected, according to officials of the MPS.