People missing their right lower limb or both lower limbs can still obtain a driver’s license; the designated category is C5

According to regulations issued by China’s Ministry of Public Security, there exists a specific driver’s license category designated for people with disabilities, known as “small automatic passenger cars for disabled persons,” identified by the code C5. Individuals who have lost or lack movement function in their right lower limb or both lower limbs yet can sit upright on their own, provided their upper limbs meet certain criteria, are eligible to apply. A similar pathway exists for those missing one entire palm. Separate license categories also apply to people with visual impairments affecting only one eye or hearing impairments. All required medical evaluations must be conducted at specialized medical institutions approved by provincial health authorities.

The tuition fees are comparable to those for regular driver’s licenses — typically a few thousand yuan in most regions. The vehicle must be modified to allow manual control, and a medical checkup is required every three years.

Annex 1 of the “Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver’s Licenses” outlines detailed physical eligibility criteria. Clause 8 explicitly states that individuals missing or lacking movement function in their right lower limb or both lower limbs, yet capable of independent sitting posture, and whose upper limbs satisfy stipulated conditions, may apply for a C5 license. Likewise, those missing only their left lower limb while retaining normal right lower limb function may qualify for a standard small automatic car license. For visual impairments, applicants must have at least 5.0 corrected visual acuity in their better eye and a horizontal visual field spanning 150 degrees to qualify for licenses covering small cars, small automatic cars, low-speed trucks, three-wheeled vehicles, and C5 vehicles. Hearing-impaired applicants who can still locate sound sources via hearing aids may obtain licenses for small cars and small automatic cars, provided they wear such aids while driving. Article 85 mandates that medical certificates for C5 license applicants must originate from authorized provincial medical institutions. Holders of this license must undergo periodic health evaluations every three years and submit updated certificates within 30 days after each scoring cycle concludes. Additionally, Article 78 requires all C5 vehicle owners to affix a nationally standardized “disabled persons’ motor vehicle” signage as stipulated by Ministry of Public Security Order No. 172, effective 1 January 2025.

An alternative, far less restrictive option involves operating specially designed motorized wheelchairs for disabled persons. Classified as non-motorized vehicles under Article 119 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, these do not necessitate a driver’s license; Article 58 further limits their maximum speed on non-motorized lanes to 15 km/h. Modifying a standard vehicle for C5 use involves installing manually operated throttle and brake mechanisms via certified manufacturers, followed by official registration updates at local vehicle authorities. Failure to submit updated health documentation within one year following three consecutive scoring cycles results in automatic license revocation.

公安部令第 172 号. 机动车驾驶证申领和使用规定（第七十八条、第七十九条、第八十五条、附件 1）. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/2025/issue_11866/202502/content_7004031.html；公安部令第 164 号. 机动车登记规定（第二十三条、第二十四条）. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2022/content_5682413.htm；中华人民共和国道路交通安全法（2021 年修正，第五十八条、第一百一十九条）. https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=ff8081817ab231eb017abd617ef70519