Weaving through the countryside, allowing the car to take you wherever it wants to go… yes, there’s nothing quite like a road trip. Although expats might be more accustomed to taking these trips in their own countries, Chinese officials are simplifying the process to attract more international tourists to drive their way through China.

The new policy, which was announced in August by the Ministries of Public Security, Foreign Affairs and the National Tourism Administration, will come into effect on October 1. It will be aimed at new tourists arriving in China, and not for expats already residing in China, who want to get their driver’s license.

Instead of having individual public security bureaus and tourism administrations issue individual documents, road-tripping tourists will have all licences arranged and approved through certain travel agencies. Here’s the catch: agencies must arrange tour guides to accompany the driving tourists for the duration of the trip.

Although several brave souls have already trekked across China’s expansive highways, travelling by car is not popular among foreign tourists, likely due to the difficulty obtaining the proper permits. Touring by car accounts for less than one percent of tourism in China.