Car Rental in Beijing
Your next trip to China’s exciting capital, whether for a business trip or a family vacation, can be made more comfortable with the right car rental deal in Beijing. If you are a foreign national who is hiring a vehicle for the first time in China, you may have to comply with several procedures first before getting a rental car. If you are a regular customer of a specific car company, having old records of your past service rental can help you get a car as soon as possible. Here are a few tips that will come in handy in making your rental car deal a much smoother experience.
Get a China driving license
While rentals in other countries allow foreign drivers to use International Driver Permits, driving in the People’s Republic of China requires you to get a Chinese license. Licenses issued in Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau are not considered valid driver’s licenses in China. However, an IDP can be converted by foreign residents into local licenses through a process that includes a written exam.
Many visitors can easily rent the car along with the services of a hired driver. Because of the low wages in China, it is reasonably cheap to get a driver. You can leave the worries of dealing with Beijing traffic and directions to the driver. New legislation for issuing temporary permits is being considered, but for now, the best deal is to get a local driver.
Shop online
You can find several companies online that offer car rental services in Beijing. Oftentimes, it pays to book your car at least two weeks before the first day of your planned car usage in Beijing. You will be asked to type in your personal information and contact information below the specifications of your desired vehicle. You can also choose the English language proficiency level of your driver. The rental company will get back to you to advise you of the documents you need if you are a first time renter and if you represent a company doing business in China.
Getting your car
If you just arrived in Beijing and you prefer to drive by your own, go to a car company and present documents such as your passport, the ID of your guarantor (who must be a citizen of Beijing) and your license. This will take two days to process. If you hired a driver along with your car rental, your car will be delivered by the driver more quickly. Good car rental companies provide 24-hour phone support. Most rental companies do not accept cash for deposit and require you to use a credit card.
Getting the most out of your rental deal
On the average, car rental rates in Beijing are very affordable, but do check for extra fees and make sure to check with your provider that the advertised price includes local and national taxes, and additional rent for GPS and other amenities you may have agreed to use. Return the car with a full tank to avoid paying high fuel surcharges.