Can I Get a Refund for Driver's License Application?
2 Answers
It is possible to get a refund for the driver's license application fee, but the refund may not be full depending on the circumstances. There is currently no unified regulation regarding the refund standards. The specific refund amount depends on the service agreement signed at the time. For driving school registration, if you withdraw before taking the medical examination or fail the medical examination, the service fee will be deducted, but some driving schools may offer a full refund. If you withdraw after passing the medical examination and obtaining student status but before taking the first subject exam, management fees, penalty agreement fees, card production fees, and medical examination fees will be deducted. If you withdraw after passing the first subject exam and starting practical training, management fees, penalty agreement fees, medical examination fees, and actual training fees (calculated per hour of training) will be deducted. If you need to change driving schools due to issues caused by the driving school, you can report the matter to the traffic management department or relevant authorities to protect your legal rights. If you wish to change driving schools after completing the first subject exam due to issues caused by the driving school, you can negotiate with the driving school. If the negotiation fails, you can contact other relevant authorities for assistance. If you wish to change driving schools after completing the first subject exam for personal reasons, the solution is to negotiate with the driving school. The difference between these two scenarios lies in whether the request to change driving schools is made before or after the first subject exam.
In my years as a driving school instructor, I've encountered many students asking about refunds after enrolling for a driver's license. Generally, it depends on the specific situation and the driving school's contract. If you've just enrolled and haven't started training or taken any tests, like not even the first subject exam, the school might refund 70-80% of the fee, which is considered a humane approach. However, once you've attended practical lessons, even just one session, the chance of a refund is slim because the fees cover teaching resources. Some schools also require proof, such as health issues or job changes, to apply for a refund. I advise everyone to carefully read the refund terms in the contract before enrolling and not rush into payment. If issues arise, directly contact the driving school to negotiate rather than wasting time speculating. Stay vigilant—learning to drive is an investment in yourself after all.
