[Car Rental for Hongkongers in Mainland China] 5 Recommended Rental Companies｜Required Documents｜Costs｜Rental Process

Home Return Permit (valid for more than two months after the rental period)

Mainland China C-Class Driver’s License (valid for more than one month after the rental period)

How to Obtain a Mainland China Driver’s License for Hongkongers: Hong Kong residents can exchange their Hong Kong driver’s license for a Mainland China driver’s license without a test. For details, check: **[Mainland China License for Hong Kong Cars 2024] Exchange Hong Kong License for Mainland License Without a Test (Including Application Process and Fees)

Step 1: Download the App

Register as a member. Although some car rental company apps can send verification codes to Hong Kong mobile numbers, it’s more convenient to register with a mainland China number. After registering, you need to upload your Home Return Permit for identity verification.

Step 2: Select Rental Dates, Pickup/Return Locations

Depending on the rental company, bookings are typically required at least 4 hours in advance, with a minimum rental period of one day. Many rental companies offer various pickup and return options, such as storefront service stations, self-pickup points, or door-to-door car delivery. If the pickup location is a storefront service station, staff will assist with the process. If you choose a self-pickup point, you can unlock and start the vehicle using the mobile app.

Step 3: Choose Your Vehicle

If you plan to take a long-term self-drive tour, some rental companies also offer monthly rental plans. Vehicles are generally categorized into comfort, SUV, electric, business, and luxury classes.

Step 4: Purchase Insurance

When renting a car, basic protection service fees (Compulsory Traffic Insurance) are mandatory and only cover third-party liability. For additional coverage, you can purchase optional car insurance to increase the coverage amount, vehicle protection, and nationwide roadside assistance. Daily insurance costs start from a few dozen yuan, depending on the coverage amount and the number of passengers insured.

Step 5: Complete Payment

Payment can be made through UnionPay credit cards. Some rental companies also accept VISA, MasterCard, WeChat Pay, and Alipay. Finally, confirm the order to complete the process. A special tip: when picking up the car, remember to take photos and videos of the vehicle's interior and exterior to record its condition and avoid disputes when returning the car.

Car rental costs in mainland China are relatively cheap, but keep in mind that in addition to the rental fee, car rental companies will also charge basic protection service fees (car insurance) and service preparation fees. Other optional services such as baby seats, door-to-door delivery, cross-location returns, and overtime usage will require additional charges. As an example, here are the approximate daily rental costs for different car models in Shenzhen: