Can you drive in Western Australia with a Chinese license?

Yes. Visitors can drive in Western Australia on a current and valid Chinese licence for the length of their stay.

Transport WA treats tourists, business travellers, students and temporary workers as visitors, and visitors can use their current overseas licence with no fixed time limit while their stay remains temporary. The licence must be carried while driving and must not be suspended, cancelled, disqualified or withdrawn. Under the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014, the 3 month limit only starts once the person holds a permanent visa and usually resides in WA.

Visiting from overseas or interstate | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014 (legislation.wa.gov.au)

An International Driving Permit is not required in Western Australia, but because a Chinese licence is not in English, carrying an English translation or an IDP is strongly advisable.

Transport WA's visitor page does not require an International Driving Permit; visitors only need a current and valid licence carried while driving. China does not issue IDPs under the 1949 Geneva convention, and WA requires certified English translations of Chinese licences in licensing contexts, so a certified translation is the practical option for visitors.

Visiting from overseas or interstate | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)Transfer a driver's licence a non-recognised country or region | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)

New permanent residents can drive on a current Chinese licence for up to 3 months, and must apply for a WA licence within that period.

Transport WA states that Australian citizens and permanent residents with a current and valid overseas licence can drive in WA for up to 3 months and must apply to transfer within that window; after 3 months they cannot legally drive on the overseas licence even if it is still valid. Regulation 61(4) of the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014 ends recognition once a permanent visa holder has usually resided in WA for more than 3 months since the visa was granted.

Moving from overseas | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014 (legislation.wa.gov.au)

No. China is not a recognised country, so a Chinese licence cannot be exchanged without testing.

Transport WA's overseas licence checker lists China as a non-recognised country. Holders of a Chinese car or motorcycle licence must pass the theory test and the Practical Driving Assessment to obtain a WA licence.

Moving from overseas | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)Transfer a driver's licence a non-recognised country or region | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)

Yes. Chinese licence holders must pass the WA theory test and the Practical Driving Assessment, plus an eyesight test at the service centre.

For non-recognised countries, Transport WA requires the theory test on WA road rules and the Practical Driving Assessment, and the theory test must be passed first. An eyesight test and a medical declaration are part of the application. Transport WA does not list a separate hazard perception test for overseas licence transfers.

Transfer a driver's licence a non-recognised country or region | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)

Yes. A Chinese licence is written in Chinese, so it must be accompanied by an English translation from an approved translator.

Transport WA requires that a non-recognised country licence written solely in a language other than English be accompanied by an English translation from an approved translator. Approved translators include NAATI certified translators, tertiary qualified translators and the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Service.

Transfer a driver's licence a non-recognised country or region | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)

Bring your Chinese licence with a certified English translation, proof of identity documents and a completed application form to a DTMI service centre.

Applications are made in person at a Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) service centre or regional agent. You submit the application form, your overseas licence with its English translation, and proof of identity, then pass the eyesight test, complete the medical declaration and pay the theory test fee.

Transfer a driver's licence a non-recognised country or region | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)