Chinese Driving Licence Translation Services in Singapore
Want to convert your Chinese driving licence (驾驶证) to a Singapore licence? The Traffic Police asks for an official English translation by a Singapore-registered translation company. We are one. China does not use the International Driving Permit system, so this translation is also how you drive, rent a car or deal with an insurer here. You do not need a notary or SAL for conversion. We translate both sides of the card, every class code and every date.
Quick answer: A certified Chinese driving licence translation starts from S$40 a page and takes 24 to 48 hours. Front and back usually fit on 1 page. Send a clear photo before 11am on a weekday and we can deliver the same day for +S$20 a page. Notarisation is only needed if another office asks for it in writing. That version starts from S$202.20 and takes 3 to 7 working days.
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Certified Chinese Driving Licence Translation: Why the Traffic Police Needs No Notary
Most drivers with a Chinese licence only need one thing: a certified English translation. Converting at the Traffic Police? You only need card 1.
1. Certified Translation (Traffic Police conversion)
- Who signs it: Our Chinese translator, checked by a second linguist, on our letterhead with our company stamp.
- Used for: Traffic Police conversion, driving here on your Chinese licence, car rental, insurers, employers.
- Time: 24 to 48 hours, or same day if sent before 11am on a weekday.
- From: S$40 per page (a card licence is usually 1 page).
2. Notarised Translation (only when asked)
- Who signs it: A Notary Public in Singapore (a senior lawyer), who signs and seals our certified translation.
- Used for: An office that asks for it in writing. The Traffic Police does not ask for it.
- Time: 3 to 7 working days.
- From: S$202.20 for a 1-page licence (S$40 translation + S$75 notary + S$87.20 SAL).
3. Going to China: Singapore Licence Into Chinese
- Who signs it: Our translator; a Notary Public and the SAL apostille if the vehicle office asks.
- Used for: A temporary driving permit in mainland China, a posting there, or car rental on the mainland.
- Time: 24 to 48 hours for the translation; 3 to 7 working days with notary and SAL.
- From: S$40 for the translation; notarised certified copy and apostille quoted on request.
One thing we will always tell you straight
ICA does not endorse any private translation company, and no translation company can promise that any office will approve your file. The same is true at the Traffic Police: they decide every conversion and which Singapore class you get. What we promise is a translation in the form the office asks for, checked twice, with honest advice on what you do and do not need.
Chinese Licences We Translate
Your licence may be a PRC plastic card licence (中华人民共和国机动车驾驶证) in Simplified Chinese, both sides; an older PRC paper booklet licence (send every page with writing or a stamp); a Taiwan licence in Traditional Chinese; a Macau licence in Chinese and Portuguese; a Hong Kong licence (it already has English, so check with us before you pay for a translation); or a driving record extract or a page of points (12-point record), if the Traffic Police asks for proof of your first issue date. Chinese licence classes, as we translate them (we keep the code exactly as printed; the Traffic Police decides the Singapore class): C1 (小型汽车) small car, manual; C2 (小型自动挡汽车) small car, automatic only; C3 (低速载货汽车) low-speed goods vehicle; A1 (大型客车) large passenger bus; A2 (牵引车) tractor and trailer; A3 (城市公交车) city bus; B1 (中型客车) medium passenger bus; B2 (大型货车) large goods vehicle; D (三轮摩托车) three-wheel motorcycle; E (二轮摩托车) two-wheel motorcycle; F (轻便摩托车) light motorcycle; M (轮式自行机械车) wheeled site machinery.
Also: PRC card licences, older PRC paper booklets, Taiwan licences, Macau licences, driving record extracts, 12-point records
We also translate licences renewed under a new or married name, and we match the pinyin to your passport. Chinese is our most requested language, so there is no extra charge. For other languages, see our driving licence translation page.
Driving in Mainland China With a Singapore Licence
Going the other way? Here is what you need to drive in mainland China on a Singapore licence.
IDP Not Accepted on the Mainland
An International Driving Permit cannot be used to drive in mainland China. Visitors usually apply for a temporary permit at the local vehicle office.
What You Need From Us
A Chinese translation of your Singapore licence. Some offices also ask for a notarised certified copy. We prepare both, and SAL adds the apostille.
Postings and Relocation
If you move to China for work, you will usually sit a written test there. You can book it only once your licence can be read in Chinese.
Sworn Translation
Singapore has no state-appointed sworn translators. A "sworn translation" means a translator's affidavit of accuracy, sworn before a Notary Public in Singapore and then apostilled by SAL, or a translator on an embassy's own list. Rules differ by city in China, so we check with you first.
How to Get Your Chinese Licence Translated From a Photo, Same Day if Urgent
Four simple steps, all online. Your card stays with you.
Send photos
Both sides of the card (or every page of a booklet), plus your passport page so the pinyin of your name matches.
Get a fixed price within an hour
We tell you the price, the time and the version you need. For conversion, that is the certified translation only.
Translation and second check
A Chinese translator prepares it. A second linguist checks every class, licence number, issue and expiry date and the back of the card.
Delivery
You get a signed PDF on our letterhead with our company stamp, ready to print. A paper copy comes on request, by courier for a small fee or for collection from our office.
Why Drivers Trust Us With Their Chinese Licence
Four things that matter when your Traffic Police slot is close.
Singapore-Registered Company
Our translation carries our registered company name, stamp and contact details, which is what the Traffic Police asks for.
Both Sides, Every Class
We translate the back of the card and every class on it, the two things most often missed.
Honest Advice on Notarisation
Most drivers do not need a notary for conversion, and we say so before you pay.
Honest Timelines
24 to 48 hours as standard, same day if you send it before 11am on a weekday.
A Real Job: Chengdu C1 Licence Translated the Same Day for a Traffic Police Conversion
An Employment Pass holder had a Chinese plastic card licence issued in Chengdu, Sichuan, held since 2014 and renewed once. His Traffic Police slot was 3 days away.
Chinese Driving Licence Translation
Chinese plastic card licence, front and back
Issued in Chengdu, held since 2014 and renewed once, with a second class (E, two-wheel motorcycle) on the back of the card.
What the client needed
Employment Pass holder converting at the Traffic Police
- Another provider had quoted him for a notary he did not need.
- That provider had missed the second class (E, two-wheel motorcycle) on the back of the card.
- His Traffic Police slot was 3 days away.
What we did
Certified translation only, with no notary
- He sent photos of both sides at 10am.
- We translated both sides onto one certified page.
- We listed C1 and E with their English descriptions.
- We matched the pinyin to his passport.
- He had the signed PDF by 4pm the same day, with no notary fee.
How Much Does Chinese Driving Licence Translation Cost in Singapore?
One fixed price, no hidden fees. Front and back of the card usually fit on 1 page. Several licences or papers? Send them together for one bundled quote with an itemised breakdown.
Certified Translation
24-48 hrsStarting from · for Traffic Police conversion
- Both sides and every class translated
- Signed and stamped on company letterhead
- PDF to print, paper copy on request
Urgent
Same day*Extra charge
- *Same day if sent before 11am on a weekday (short documents)
- Ideal when a rental desk or Traffic Police slot is close
Notarised (only if asked)
3-7 daysper 1-page licence, notary + SAL included
- Not needed for Traffic Police conversion
- Includes the notary fee (S$75) and the SAL fee (S$87.20)
- Also used for a Singapore licence going to China
Chinese is our most requested language, so there is no extra charge. For other languages, see our driving licence translation page.
What Clients Say
Read what our clients say about our translation service.
Real Client Experiences
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Supplier Issue Solved
"Supplier document language caused delay. Translation fixed it. Logistics team approved. Shipment moved."
French Website Version for Market Entry
"Expanding into France meant our company website needed proper French translation. We submitted the translated version to our overseas partner for approval. They accepted it without revision. This helped us..."
Online Portal Accepted
"Government upload portal accepted the translated permit. No error shown. Process finished smoothly."
Great Choice For Expats
"Your team helped me with English translation. Steps were simple. I sent pictures by WhatsApp. Traffic Police accepted immediately."
My Thesis Feels Complete
"Seeing my Chinese Simplified dissertation in English made me smile. All my explanations are clear. I understood it fully. Submission was easy. I feel really satisfied and proud."
Other Papers You May Need
Papers that often go with a Chinese driving licence translation.
Helpful guides
Several Licences or Papers?
Send them together for one bundled quote with an itemised breakdown.
Common Questions About Chinese Driving Licence Translation
Straight answers to the questions drivers ask us most.
FAQ Group
Will the Traffic Police accept your Chinese driving licence translation?
The Traffic Police asks for an official English translation by a Singapore-registered translation company. That is what we provide: a certified translation of both sides, signed and stamped on our company letterhead. A self-made or machine translation, or one by a freelancer abroad, does not meet this rule. The Traffic Police makes the final decision, so no company can promise approval.
How much does a Chinese driving licence translation cost?
A certified translation starts at S$40 a page, and a card licence fits both sides on 1 page. Same-day service costs S$20 more a page if you send it before 11am on a weekday. A notarised version, only needed if another office asks, starts at S$202.20. Send us a photo and we will give you a fixed price within an hour.
Do I need a notary or SAL to convert my Chinese licence?
No. Most drivers do not. For Traffic Police conversion, a certified translation by a Singapore-registered company is enough. A notary and the SAL apostille are only needed if an office asks for them in writing, for example a foreign office. If that happens, we arrange both, and the S$87.20 SAL fee is included.
A rental counter turned me away, or my Traffic Police slot is soon. Can you help?
Usually yes. Send a clear photo of both sides before 11am on a weekday and the signed PDF often arrives the same day, for +S$20 a page. Otherwise it takes 24 to 48 hours. Since no notary is needed, nothing else adds days. Message us on WhatsApp and we will confirm the time before you pay.
Do you need my physical card? Do I get a PDF and a paper copy?
A clear photo of both sides is enough, and the card stays with you. You get a signed PDF to print. A stamped paper copy can be couriered for a small fee or collected from our office. The translation does not replace your licence, so always carry both together.
Can I drive in Singapore on my Chinese licence?
Yes, for a short stay. China does not use the IDP system, so carry your valid Chinese licence with an official English translation. Once you have lived here for 12 months, you must convert it. Work Permit and S Pass holders who drive for work must convert within 6 months of the pass. New PRs and citizens may drive on it for 3 months. See our driving licence translation page for the full rules.
What does C1 mean on a Chinese licence?
C1 is a small car with manual transmission. C2 is a small car with automatic transmission only. We keep the code exactly as printed and add a plain English description. The Traffic Police, not the translator, decides which Singapore class you get after conversion.
Why did the Traffic Police send my file back?
Common reasons are: the back of the card was not translated, a second class was missed, or the name does not match the passport. Send us the old translation and a photo of the card. We will check it and tell you what was missing before you pay for a new one.
Can you translate a Taiwan, Macau or paper booklet licence?
Yes. Taiwan licences are in Traditional Chinese, and Macau licences are in Chinese and Portuguese. For an older paper booklet, photograph every page with writing or a stamp. Hong Kong licences already have English, so ask us first, as you may not need a translation. Words we cannot read are marked as unclear, never guessed.
Can you translate my Singapore licence into Chinese for driving in China?
Yes. Mainland China does not accept an IDP, so visitors apply for a temporary permit, and the vehicle office asks for a Chinese translation. Some cities also want a notarised certified copy. We prepare the translation and, if asked, arrange the notary and SAL apostille. China accepts the apostille without an embassy stamp.
Get Your Chinese Driving Licence Translated for the Traffic Police
Send a photo of both sides of your card. You get a fixed price within the hour and a signed English translation in 24 to 48 hours, or the same day if you send it before 11am on a weekday.