Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To buy a car, you should definitely go through a reputable dealer. If you later decide to
sell the car in order to buy a new one, you can have the plate transferred to the new car
without needing to go into the lottery again.
When you plan to leave the country you will need to officially deregister the car and
sell it. Selling it could be difficult, though, as you may not know anyone who already has a
number plate, and agents who can sniff the anxiety of an expat rushing to leave the country
will offer criminally low prices. You won't be able to clear customs if the vehicle is still
registered under your name. Basically, if you're planning to leave the country, plan your
car's sale two or three months in advance and consider hiring a driver or using taxis for the
remaining time.
Rental and Leasing
Renting a car in Beijing is definitely a way to overcome the buying problems. You can rent
either short- or long-term, with or without a driver. Bear in mind that even if it's for a short
trip, you won't be able to use an international license. You'll still need to apply for a tem-
porary driver's license. Well-established car rental companies should help you with this.
Rental for something like a Buick GL8 seven-seater will possibly cost around RMB10,000
per month, an additional RMB3,000 per month if you also want a driver, plus fuel costs.
Deposits can be as much as RMB10,000, and an RMB1,000 deposit may be kept for one
month (on your credit card) after you return the vehicle to cover any fines you may have
chalked up. Some rental companies also require preregistration, so try to do this a few days
in advance.
Companies such as China Auto Rental (CAR,
www.zuche.com
), Car Solution, or
Beijing Auto Service Center are often used for longer-term rental, while Hertz
(
www.hertzchina.com
)
and CAR are experienced at providing short-term rental. Many
companies, however, don't rent cars without drivers, even for periods of a year or more, so
ask about this when investigating. If you are using a driver, you'll most likely need to have
only cash or a credit card handy at when booking. Driving yourself requires more paper-
work. You will need to show your passport and a Chinese driver's license, and may also
need to provide a credit card, temporary residence registration slip from your local PSB, a
guarantor letter from your company, and employment papers.
Renting cars is a new but rapidly growing industry in Beijing as locals are starting to
see the value of taking off in cars for short trips rather than constantly owning a car. Car
fleets often fall short of the demand, especially during national holidays, and often even on
weekends.
