Shenzhen Car Rental Self-Drive Guide: Shenzhou & eHi Booking Process + 8 Things Hong Kong Drivers Must Know (with Prices)

Taking the metro is convenient, but if you want to hit two or three attractions in different districts in a single day, or you're travelling with kids and luggage, renting a car and driving yourself is the most comfortable choice. Mainland rental companies are plentiful and cheap — an economy sedan can go for as little as a few dozen RMB per day on weekdays, but a Hong Kong licence cannot be used directly, and that's the step you need to sort out first.

The one-line strategy: the safest route is to convert your Hong Kong licence into a mainland driving licence without a test at a Guangdong Province vehicle management office in advance; for short trips, ask the rental platform whether they accept a "Hong Kong licence + International Driving Permit (IDP)"; for the rental itself, pick a nationwide chain like Shenzhou or eHi, which have pickup points at border crossings and high-speed rail stations.

1. travellers Driving Mainland Cars: Three Legal Routes

This part is a legal matter — always go by official announcements and don't trust second-hand information.

• Route 1: Converting to a mainland driving licence without a test (the proper way): Holders of a full Hong Kong driving licence can convert it into a mainland licence for small vehicles without sitting a test. You apply at a Guangdong Province vehicle management office (or a designated agent), generally bringing your Home Return Permit, Hong Kong licence, medical check report and photos. Once done, it's valid long-term and works for both renting and driving.
• Route 2: Temporary driving permit (short-term): For short trips you can use a temporary driving permit. The official channel is via the "Traffic Management 12123" app or the related WeChat mini-program, uploading your Home Return Permit, Hong Kong licence and other documents. Validity is generally based on the itinerary you declare when applying.
• Route 3: Hong Kong licence + IDP: Some rental platforms accept a "Hong Kong licence + International Driving Permit", but not all cities and rental companies recognise it. You must ask clearly before booking, otherwise you'll be turned away at pickup.
• Reminder: Rules and processing locations change. Before you set off, check the official announcements from the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department Traffic Management Bureau or the "Traffic Management 12123" app.

2. How to Choose Between the Three Rental Platforms?

From experience, Shenzhou has the most pickup points in any given city, so it's the one to pick for a first rental; if you want a bargain, compare prices on Ctrip or Fliggy, but pay attention to the insurance and deposit terms of smaller rental companies.

3. Picking Up at Border Crossings and High-Speed Rail Stations: Which Is Most Convenient?

• Shenzhen North Station: Pick up your car the moment you step off the high-speed rail — fastest for Longhua, Longgang and Guanlan (interchange of Metro Lines 4/5/6)
• Bao'an Airport: The widest choice of vehicles, on the way to Bao'an, Qianhai and Dongguan
• Futian Port / Huanggang: Call a car to a nearby outlet after crossing the border — good for same-day round trips
• Luohu Port: High density of outlets, but city-centre traffic jams — after clearing customs, it's best to head straight for the expressway
• Shenzhen Bay Port: Fastest for Nanshan, Bao'an and Qianhai, without entering Futian city centre

4. Prices and Deposits (checked September 2026)

• Economy sedan: about ¥100–200/day on weekdays; during platform promotions, petrol cars can drop to double digits per day
• SUV / 7-seater: generally ¥250–450/day, and can double during public holidays
• Electric vehicles: rental can sometimes be cheaper than petrol cars, but you'll need charging apps and must plan charging stations for long trips
• Deposit: generally ¥3,000–8,000, held via credit card pre-authorisation or frozen on Alipay; some platforms offer "deposit-free" but require a Zhima Credit score
• Insurance: basic cover is usually included; it's worth adding "waiver of excess" (about ¥30–60/day) to reduce risk
• Fuel: mainland petrol is priced per litre, and on return you must top up to the fuel level in the contract — don't rely on "close enough"

5. 8 Things to Watch Out For When Driving in Mainland China

• Drive on the right: Hong Kong drives on the left, the mainland is the exact opposite — the first minute out of the car park is when mistakes happen most
• Drink-driving is strictly banned: mainland drink-driving standards are extremely strict — never drive after drinking, and that includes electric vehicles
• Speed limits and cameras: there are speed cameras everywhere on expressways and in the city; speeding fines are steep and points are deducted
• Electronic-eye capture: crossing lines, illegal parking and driving in the emergency lane are all photographed automatically, and fines usually arrive via app notification
• Navigation: use Amap or Baidu Maps and set it to avoid restricted zones; Google Maps has no mainland data
• Parking: mall car parks are generally ¥5–10 for the first hour, then ¥5 per hour; roadside meters require app payment
• Refuelling / charging: petrol stations mostly take cash or mainland payment apps, and some don't accept Hong Kong credit cards
• Accident handling: call the police and notify the rental company immediately — don't settle privately; keep photos of the scene and the police report

6. Where to Go After Picking Up the Car? 5 Destinations with Easy Parking

The biggest advantage of driving yourself is being able to reach places the metro doesn't serve conveniently. These destinations aren't far from the border crossings and have easy parking — perfect for a self-drive day trip; mall car parks are generally ¥5–10 for the first hour, with free parking if you spend enough.

• Shenzhen Bay Park: a waterfront promenade with plenty of parking spaces — unbeatable for sunset
• Lianhuashan Park: in the heart of Futian, with car parks around Hongli Road; climb to the summit for the CBD skyline
• MixC World (萬象天地): an open-air mall in Nanshan with easy parking — shopping and dining sorted in one go
• Coastal City (海岸城): a large mall in Nanshan with plenty of restaurants and parking spaces
• Shenzhen Safari Park: in Xili, Nanshan — easier by car than transferring on the metro, and the park has a car park

FAQ

Can I drive in mainland China on a Hong Kong licence?

No. You need a mainland driving licence obtained through conversion without a test, or a valid temporary driving permit; some rental platforms accept a "Hong Kong licence + International Driving Permit (IDP)", but not all rental companies recognise it, so you must confirm before booking, otherwise you'll be turned away at the counter.

What documents do I need to rent a car?

Home Return Permit (essential), Hong Kong driving licence, mainland driving licence or temporary driving permit, a mainland mobile number (to receive verification codes), and a payment method (credit card or Alipay/WeChat). Some platforms also require your passport.

When is the deposit refunded?

After the car is returned and inspected with no damage, it's usually unfrozen or refunded within 3 to 15 working days. If you used a credit card pre-authorisation, remember to check your credit card statement to confirm it's been cancelled.

Roughly how much does a day's rental plus fuel cost?

On a weekday, an economy sedan plus fuel comes to about ¥200–350; at weekends or on holidays the rental can more than double. Split between three or more people, it's usually cheaper than calling a car.

Practical Tips

• Avoid public holidays: rental prices can double during Chinese New Year and National Day, and cars are hard to book — it's best to book a month ahead
• Choose automatic: most mainland cars are left-hand-drive automatics, which Hong Kong drivers adapt to fastest; don't pick manual if you're not confident
• Photograph on pickup: walk around the car and film it, recording scratches, fuel level and mileage, so you have evidence if there's a dispute at return
• One-way returns: some rental companies offer free one-way returns, e.g. pick up in Shenzhen and return in Guangzhou, giving you much more flexibility
• Buy full cover: if you're unfamiliar with the roads, adding the waiver of excess is the most worthwhile expense

This article's process and prices are compiled from official rental platform announcements, public information from Guangdong traffic management authorities and Hong Kong media reports (checked September 2026). Driving licence processing rules, rental prices and insurance terms change, so before you set off, please refer to official channels and the rental company's latest announcements.