Bikes, scooters and taxis only get you so far (literally). At some point, you're going to feel the urge to drive around on your own here in China. Unfortunately, it’s not just as simple as renting a car. If a laowai is caught driving without the right paperwork (and no, international driver’s licences don’t apply here), penalties start at RMB200 and can include up to two weeks in detention. If you don’t already have a driver's license from home, we recommend that you go home and get one there first. Otherwise you’ll have to start the entire process like a local would (including driving lessons and road tests in Shanghai traffic). If you already have a license, it's a relatively simple process to register for a Chinese one. Just follow the steps below (or have a third-party agency like Hertz or Shangcar.com help walk you through the process for RMB1,000-1,500 extra).

1. Get It Together

OK, no messing around. The first step is to get all your documentation together and head to the Shanghai Vehicle Management Bureau (1330 Hami Lu near Kele Lu 哈密路1330号近可乐路, Tel: 6269-0606). Bring the following:

1. Your passport with a photocopy and a visa that’s valid for at least 90 more days
2. Your registration form from your local police station
3. A health certificate from a local hospital (or take the test at the bureau for RMB60)
4. RMB40 for the photo fee and your original license with more than six months left on it
5. Photocopies of the front and back and a certified Chinese translation attached

You’ll also have to fill out an application form there. Just make sure it’s for a “C1 & E” license, not a “C1” license—the former allows you to drive motorbikes as well as cars. Once that’s all done, they’ll schedule a written test for you.

2. Study

Download the test bank of questions (available here, or buy a study app here) and study. Seriously. Raffe Ibrahamian, co-owner of Cantina Agave, recently took the test and came back with this advice: “Don’t use common sense. It’ll screw you up. Just memorize the answers and regurgitate it.” Don’t believe him? Here’s a sample question (answer below):

When a vehicle overturns slowly and jumping out is possible, the driver should jump:

A) In the driving direction
B) In the overturning direction
C) In the opposite direction of the overturn
D) To the overturning side

3. Take the Test

The test bank has 1,500 questions in it, and 100 of these questions will be selected at random during your computerized 45-minute test. You can take the exam in Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Japanese or Russian, but you need to score at least 90 percent to pass. You’ll know instantly how you did. Pass and they’ll print out your license immediately. Fail and you’ll need to schedule another time to take the test again. The first test is RMB55 and subsequent tests are RMB40 each. Of course, this being China, it's also possible to cheat—just pay one of the examiners to stand behind you to feed you answers.

The answer to the question in Step 2 is C.