Citizens of Kazakhstan and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will be permitted to exchange national driving licenses without the requirement of mandatory re-examination, El.kz reports.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
The meeting took place on September 7 as part of the official visit of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yerzhan Sadenov, to Beijing. The Minister participated in the multilateral talks involving the Ministers of Internal Affairs and Public Security of Central Asian countries and China.
Following the deliberations, the parties signed a document on the mutual recognition of Category B1 driving licenses. This category pertains to passenger vehicles and represents the majority of license holders in both nations.
Additionally, Minister Sadenov held a bilateral meeting with the PRC Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong. The parties discussed the enhancement of bilateral cooperation in the field of border security and management.
Implementation Mechanism for License Exchange
Upon the entry into force of the agreement, citizens will be exempt from the requirement to undergo mandatory retraining or pass theoretical and practical examinations. Driving licenses issued by one state will be recognized as valid within the territory of the other, subject to compliance with local regulatory requirements.
The exchange procedure will be conducted in accordance with the domestic legislation of the host country. Consequently, when relocating between Kazakhstan and China, the exchange of licenses can be facilitated within a prescribed timeframe without the necessity of re-enrolling in driving schools.
A similar reciprocal mechanism has already been implemented by Kazakhstan with another partner; a mutual recognition agreement with the United Arab Emirates has been in effect since July 25, 2026.
Supplementary Agreement on the Khorgos ICBC
In addition to the driving license agreement, the two nations signed an instrument concerning security within the "Khorgos" International Center for Boundary Cooperation (ICBC). This document defines the framework for inter-agency cooperation between the relevant authorities of both countries within this territory.
The agreement is designed to expedite the operational response to law enforcement violations and mitigate risks for individuals crossing the border through the center. Khorgos remains a strategic hub for trade and logistics between Kazakhstan and China.
For motorists, the primary significance lies in the mutual recognition of driving licenses. This measure facilitates ease of movement not only for those seeking permanent residency but also for individuals engaged in frequent cross-border business and professional activities.
