Can I Get a Driver's License Without Going Through a Driving School?
3 Answers
It is possible to obtain a driver's license without attending a driving school. Since 2016, self-study and direct examination for driver's licenses have been permitted. Applicants who meet the requirements for obtaining a motor vehicle driver's license as stipulated in the Ministry of Public Security's "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" can prepare their own safety-compliant test vehicles and study and take the test under the guidance of a qualified instructor, without going through a driving school. The local vehicle management office can directly accept individual applications for motor vehicle driver's licenses. Those opting for self-study and direct examination must meet the following conditions: 1. Driving experience: Individuals with driving experience but whose licenses have been revoked and need to retake relevant tests. 2. No driving experience: Individuals without driving experience but have acquaintances (non-instructors) to teach them, or those without driving experience or acquaintances to teach them but have private instructors.
Last time my cousin tried to learn driving by himself without going to a driving school, he found an experienced instructor online and rented a car to practice. But during the test, he couldn't even park the car in reverse, and the examiner directly asked him to retake the exam. Self-learning sounds cost-effective and time-saving, but in reality, it requires more effort. You have to rely on mobile apps for theoretical knowledge and find practice locations, which is difficult and prone to traffic violations. Now he regrets it. Driving schools offer systematic training with simulation equipment, standard routes, and examiners tend to trust them more. From a young person's experience, self-learning is possible but risky, and the extended time actually reduces efficiency. It's better to just enroll in a regular driving course.
Having driven trucks for twenty years, I've seen too many self-taught drivers panic on the road after getting their licenses. Driving schools don't just teach straight-line driving; they emphasize details like emergency lane changes and nighttime light adjustments, which are often overlooked in self-study. Road safety comes first. Saving a few thousand bucks might increase accident risks—it's not worth it. If you really want to save time, consider private coaching from a certified instructor, but make sure your skills are solid to avoid learning just for the test while neglecting actual driving ability.
