Can I Take the Driving Test Without Enrolling in a Driving School?
2 Answers
It is possible to take the driving test without enrolling in a driving school. Self-study and self-examination is a time-saving and effort-saving method compared to training and examination through a driving school. Candidates can learn driving skills on their own or with the help of others, then take and pass the unified examination to obtain a driver's license. The content of the motor vehicle driver's examination is divided into: the theoretical examination on road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge (referred to as "Subject 1"), the field driving skills examination (referred to as "Subject 2"), the road driving skills examination (referred to as "Subject 3"), and the theoretical examination on safe and civilized driving common sense (referred to as "Subject 4"). The examination content and passing standards are unified nationwide, with corresponding examination items specified according to different types of vehicles eligible for driving.
I know many people are curious about whether it's possible to skip driving school and take the test directly, especially since driving school tuition isn't cheap. In fact, national regulations do allow for direct testing, but it's quite challenging in practice. First, you need to prepare your own training vehicle with a brake system installed in the co-driver's seat. Then, you must find an instructor with over five years of driving experience to accompany you throughout your practice sessions, and you can only practice on designated routes. What's more troublesome is the complicated registration process—you have to personally visit the vehicle management office to schedule the test. My neighbor tried it last year and spent two months just finding a compliant instructor, only to realize that enrolling in a driving school would have been much easier. While direct testing is theoretically feasible, without guidance from a driving school, the pass rate is really low.
