驾驶证 (jià shǐ zhèng)

noun HSK 4

Traditional 駕駛證

jià shǐ zhèng

driver's license · driving license · driving permit

Meaning

驾驶证 is the official identity document that permits a person to operate a motor vehicle legally in China. It serves the same function as a driver's license in other countries and must be carried when driving.

Usage

This is the standard formal term used in official contexts, legal documents, and everyday conversation. In Mainland China, drivers must obtain this license after passing both written and practical driving tests. Colloquially, people sometimes shorten it to 驾照 (jià zhào) in casual speech.

Examples

01
开车的时候一定要随身携带驾驶证。
Kāi chē de shíhou yīdìng yào suíshēn xiédài jià shǐ zhèng.
You must carry your driver's license with you when driving.
02
他去年刚考到驾驶证，开车还不太熟练。
Tā qùnián gāng kǎo dào jià shǐ zhèng, kāi chē hái bú tài shúliàn.
He just got his driver's license last year, so he's still not very skilled at driving.

Characters

Measure words

本běn一本驾驶证
张zhāng一张驾驶证

Common collocations

考驾驶证
kǎo jià shǐ zhèng
to take the driving test / get a driver's license
驾驶证过期
jià shǐ zhèng guò qī
driver's license expired
出示驾驶证
chū shì jià shǐ zhèng
to show one's driver's license
吊销驾驶证
diào xiāo jià shǐ zhèng
to revoke a driver's license

Origin

The term combines 驾驶 (to drive) with 证 (certificate), literally meaning 'driving certificate.' This straightforward compound reflects modern administrative vocabulary developed as motorized vehicles became widespread in China.