I heard it's no longer possible to convert your foreign driving licence into a Chinese one. You now have to take lessons in China. Is that true?

I wasn't aware that it was ever 'convertible'. You always had to do the theory test.

China is also not a signatory to the IDP system either.

Taking lessons would be impractical due to the lack of foreign languages of most driving instructors.
There would not be much to worry about anyway, in most cities there used to be no 'on-road' driving skills test, it used to be a drive around the hard standing, hill start on the hill, and maneuver between traffic cones and obstacles.

@bluppfisk. tigertiger is correct. You can't just walk in and "convert" your foreign DL into a Chinese DL. However, since you have a DL, all you have to do is take a written test. You do not need to take the driving school or the road test with an officer. You can study for the written test by buying the iPad app, Driving in China. I study using this app. The questions are fairly close to the actual test. You must make 90% or better to pass. I was able to make 93% using only the app to study.

@seahorse62
Thanks for the info - now to go get an ipad...

Cool thanks!

As a matter of historical trivia, it 'was' convertible (that's how I got my Chinese DL) but the laws changed and the written test was introduced around 10 years ago...

You don't have to buy an iPad. There's an emailable paper version doing the rounds.

would someone send that to me? sander.vandemoortel@gmail.com

@bluppfisk Have emailed you.

Thanks for updating an information.