China car rentals

Intermediate (Buick Excelle or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in China.

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

Driving in China can be overwhelming for foreigners, due to the traffic and the crowded roads. Exercise caution when driving in cities and encountering congestion and motorcycles, and exercise caution when driving in more sparsely populated areas, watching out for things like wildlife and the common practice of farmers using the road to dry their grains.

Although the only age limitation for renting a car in China is that you must be older than 18, you will have to obtain a Chinese driver’s license before you’ll be allowed to rent a car. This requires a notarized Chinese translation of your license, the completion of a medical exam at an approved Chinese hospital, and a successful passing of a driving examination. After you meet these requirements, you’ll be able to pick up your license and drive freely throughout the country.

Petrol prices in China are a bit more expensive than they are in the US, and the stations are generally full-service, though no tip is required. A gallon of petrol in China, on average, will cost you around 28.62 CNY (4.14 USD), while the average price of a gallon of petrol in the US is around 2.50 USD. Credit cards are commonly accepted in Chinese petrol stations.

The speed limits in China vary by location and the type of road. Some of the country’s single-lane and major roads with double yellow lines are part of the China National Highway System. The speed limits on roads in China are as follows: 30 km/h (19 mph) on single-lane roads, 40 km/h (25 mph) on single-lane roads that are part of the China National Highway system, up to 70 km/h (43 mph) on major roads with double yellow lines, 80 km/h (50 mph) on major roads with double yellow lines that are part of the China National Highway system, 100 km/h (62 mph) on express motorways, and 120 km/h (75 mph) on China’s national expressways.