Driver’s licenses to go digital in 28 cities in China from Sept. 1

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China will expand the use of digital driver's licenses in 28 cities from September 1, 2021, the country's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced on August 20.

The cities where driver's licenses will go digital include Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Changchun, Daqing, Shanghai, Wuxi, Suzhou, Yancheng, Taizhou, Ningbo, Jiaxing, Nanchang, Jinan, Qingdao, Changsha, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanning, Chongqing, Chengdu, Mianyang, Zigong, Nanchong, Guiyang, Xi'an, Yinchuan, and Kunming. Notably, Tianjin, Suzhou, and Chengdu began the pilot application of digital driver's licenses on June 1 this year.

The move is part of endeavors to streamline services for the convenience of the public, the ministry said. The digital licenses will be issued through an official mobile App of the MPS, dubbed “Traffic Management 12123”, and be valid countrywide.

The digital licenses can be used in many scenarios, such as handling traffic violations and road accidents, renting cars, filing insurance claims, and operating freight business, according to the MPS. 

China will roll out digital driver's licenses across the country by 2022, Li Guozhong, spokesperson for the MPS, said on August 18 at a press conference.

Mr. Li also noted that over 1.95 million drivers have received digital licenses since the pilot program was launched in early June.

As of the first quarter of 2021, number of licensed motor vehicle drivers amounted to 469 million in China, 92% of which are car drivers.