It is issued, ratified, and regularly inspected by the traffic administrative department of the public security organ.

Drivers with licenses less than a year old, however, are still considered "intern drivers" or "new drivers" (Chinese: 实习司机; pinyin: shíxí siji), and certain limitations apply to them (for example, displaying a uniform label on the car when they are driving, or having a person with at least three years experience in the front passenger seat while on highways).

[citation needed] The PRC is not a party to any of the three conventions regarding an International Driving Permit and therefore such licences are not valid in the country.

On April 10, 2019, the Ministry of Public Security announced that applications for light motor vehicles (Type C1, C2, and C5) are no longer required to provide proof of residence in the issuing region if their hukou is not in the region.

[3] In October 2020, the Ministry of Public Security said that obtaining a motorcycle driver's license (Type D, E, and F) will not require a hukou starting on 20 November 2020.