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Home / Travel Guide / Xinjiang Self-Drive Car Rental Guide: Documents, Deposit, Fuel Costs and Speed Limits

Xinjiang Self-Drive Car Rental Guide: Documents, Deposit, Fuel Costs and Speed Limits

Guide details

Self-Drive Car RentalDocumentsDepositSpeed Limit 24 views 2026-10-31 21:38:28

1. Document Requirements

Mainland Chinese visitors can rent a self-drive vehicle with a valid second-generation ID card and a driver's license (C1 or above). Some models require at least one year of driving experience, which will be noted on the product page.

Overseas visitors should note: China does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) on its own. You generally need to take your home-country license to the local traffic authority to obtain a temporary driving permit before you can legally drive. If you prefer not to go through this process, we recommend a chauffeur-driven charter product, which requires no license.

2. Deposit Rules

Self-drive models require a vehicle deposit at pickup, payable by credit card pre-authorization or cash/bank transfer; the amount is shown on each model's product page. The deposit is refunded after the vehicle is inspected at return and confirmed to have no new damage and no unresolved traffic violations. The deposit is not part of the amount paid online; only the rental fee is paid online.

3. Fuel and Return Fuel Level

For self-drive, fuel costs are your responsibility. Record the fuel level at pickup (usually a full tank) and return it at the same level; any shortfall must be topped up according to the store's standard. Gas stations require an ID card for registration, and some stations require passengers to get out and wait.

4. Speed Limits and Average-Speed Cameras

Xinjiang highways are mostly 100–120 km/h, national roads 60–80 km/h, and limits drop noticeably when entering villages, towns and mountainous areas. Average-speed enforcement sections are common, so be sure to drive at the section's average speed rather than only slowing down before camera points. Fines from speeding and traffic violations are borne by the renter.

5. Driving Tips

  • Xinjiang runs about 2 hours behind the rest of the country in daily schedule, and daylight hours are long — it may still be light at 21:00–22:00, so watch your rest and fatigue
  • On some sections gas stations are far apart; fill up before entering deserts and mountainous areas
  • Weather in mountainous and mountain-pass sections changes quickly; slow down in rain or snow and stop and wait if necessary

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FAQ

What documents are needed for self-drive car rental?
A valid second-generation ID card and a valid driver's license (C1 or above) of the person picking up the car are required. The documents must be within their validity period and match the person who placed the order. Some vehicle types require at least one year of driving experience; see the product page for details.
Can overseas tourists drive themselves?
China does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) for use on its own. Overseas tourists usually need to hold a valid driver's license from their home country and obtain a temporary driving permit from the local traffic management department before they can legally drive. If it is inconvenient to obtain one, we recommend choosing a chartered car product with a driver, as no driver's license is required to ride.
What is the difference between a charter and a rental?
A charter includes both the vehicle and a driver, is priced by the number of days, and suits travellers who prefer not to drive themselves. A rental is self-drive, requires a valid driving licence held by the renter, and is likewise priced by the day. The exact vehicle and whether a driver is included are stated on each product page.
What documents do I need?
For a self-drive rental you need your own valid driving licence and ID card; some vehicles require at least one year of driving experience. A charter needs no licence — ID cards for the passengers are enough.
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