1. The Current Status of Self-Driving in China

Currently, China has an open attitude towards the application of self-driving technology, but relevant laws and regulations are still being gradually improved. Below are the key points: - Allowed Areas: As of 2024, China allows self-driving road tests or demonstration operations in specific areas of certain cities (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc.), but fully unmanned private cars have not yet been commercially available to the public. - Applicable Scenarios: - Partial Self-Driving Functions: Such as Tesla's Autopilot, NIO's NOP, etc., which can be used on open roads, but the driver must supervise the entire process. - Pilot Zones: Some cities have launched self-driving pilots for taxis, bus routes, or logistics vehicles, and tourists can book experiences through official platforms (such as Baidu Apollo, DiDi self-driving).

2. Conditions for Foreign Tourists to Use Self-Driving

Scenario One: Driving a personally owned/rented vehicle with assisted driving functions

• Required Documents:
• International driving permit (to be used in conjunction with the original domestic driving license) or Chinese driving license (obtained through short-term exchange or translation certification).
• Vehicle registration certificate, insurance policy (provided by the car rental company when renting).
• Sign the agreement for using assisted driving functions (required by some car manufacturers).
• Precautions:
• The driver must keep their hands on the steering wheel and be ready to take over at any time.
• Some functions (such as automatic lane change) may be restricted due to regional regulations.

Scenario Two: Experiencing Pilot Self-Driving Services

• Applicable Scenarios: In pilot cities, book autonomous driving taxis through official platforms (such as DiDi, Baidu Maps).
• Required Documents:
• Valid passport or ID (some platforms require real-name authentication).
• Bind a Chinese mobile phone number and payment method (such as Alipay/WeChat Pay).
• Operational Process:
• Download the corresponding app and register an account.
• Choose the autonomous driving service within the permitted area.
• Follow safety instructions after boarding (such as wearing seat belts, avoiding interference with equipment).

3. Important Restrictions and Safety Tips

• Geographical Limitations: Autonomous driving services are only available in specific areas approved by the government (such as Yizhuang in Beijing, Lingang in Shanghai).
• Legal Responsibility: Even when using autonomous driving functions, the driver is still responsible for accidents.
• Network Dependency: Ensure the vehicle is connected to the internet (it is recommended to purchase a local data card in China).

4. Practical Tools and Resources

• Map Navigation: Gaode Map, Baidu Map (support English interface).
• Car Rental Platforms: Shenzhou Car Rental, YiHi Car Rental (providing assisted driving models).
• Emergency Contacts: Traffic accident emergency number 122, medical emergency 120.