Can I transfer to another driving school after registration?

[OKatherine]

It is possible to transfer to another driving school. During the process of taking the motor vehicle driver's license examination, you can change the examination location once. After changing the examination location, you need to complete all the examination items for the motor vehicle driver's license at this location until you obtain the driver's license. More relevant information is as follows: 1. To register for a motor vehicle driver's license, you only need to bring your ID card. If your ID card is lost, you can bring a temporary ID card. The temporary ID card must be issued by the public security authority to be valid. 2. After completing the registration, wait for the physical examination. After passing the physical examination, you can start practicing for the subject one examination of the motor vehicle driver's license.

[MacAbigail]

I transferred driving schools last year, let me share my experience. It is possible to change driving schools after enrollment, but it depends on the contract terms and local policies. What I did was first negotiate with the original driving school, but was told I would have to pay a 30% penalty. Later, I checked on the 12123 platform and found that my file was still at the vehicle management office and hadn't been reviewed yet, so I directly went to the new driving school to sign a new contract and complete the transfer procedures. Remember to ask the original driving school to issue a transfer certificate, otherwise the new driving school won't accept you. Transferring mid-course requires a new medical check-up, and the training hours will also be recalculated. I transferred halfway through the second subject, and all my progress was voided. My advice is, if you really need to transfer, do it as early as possible—within a week of enrollment to minimize losses.

[StEvangeline]

After ten years as a driving instructor, I often encounter students asking about transferring to another driving school. In principle, it's possible, but it comes with a lot of hassle. The money you've paid usually isn't fully refundable, and the contract stipulates a penalty fee of at least 20%. Transferring your records requires stamps from both driving schools, and the vehicle management office might delay the process for ten days to half a month. The most frustrating part is that your training hours are reset to zero, meaning even if you've passed Subject 1, you'll have to retake the online courses. It's even more complicated for non-local residents, as changing your residence permit requires a trip to the local police station. If you really need to transfer, remember these three points: keep the original receipt, obtain a written transfer agreement, and confirm that the new driving school can accept your old records. Nowadays, some chain driving schools support internal transfers between branches, which makes things much easier.

[DiLeonardo]

Just finished handling my sister's driving school transfer. Full refund is available within 7 days of registration, but it becomes difficult after that. Due to the coach frequently standing her up, she only got back 70% of the fees after complaining to the transportation management department. The transfer process is: obtain a withdrawal certificate from the old driving school → submit the file to the vehicle management office → the new driving school will re-process the application. Note that the file is valid for 3 years, so don't let it expire. If you transfer after passing Subject 2, you'll have to retake the test items—my sister wasted her time practicing reverse parking. Policies vary by region: Shanghai requires re-paying the exam fee, while Shenzhen doesn't. It's recommended to call the 12328 transportation hotline to check local details.

[GemmaFitz]

The key to transferring driving schools lies in your file. When you enroll, the school registers your information in the transportation bureau's system. To transfer, the previous binding must be released first. I learned this the hard way—my old school delayed releasing the binding, preventing the new school from accepting my file. It took a trip to the DMV to resolve, dragging on for three weeks. Regarding fees, if you haven't taken the theory test (Subject 1), you can get an 80% refund; after passing it, 50%. It's best to discuss refunds in person, as phone calls often lead to excuses. Always request a detailed refund statement listing consumed lesson hours. Before signing a new contract, ask the instructor for a 30-minute test drive to avoid another bad experience.

[LeDante]

As a driving school staff member, I’ll share some insider info: transfer success depends on enrollment duration. Transfers are easier within 45 days, but almost impossible after six months. The DMV requires a 3-month waiting period before re-enrollment, meaning you’ll have to wait. Refund traps often involve hidden fees—like non-refundable registration fees, $200 deducted for materials, or $15/hour for logged training hours. Some students were charged 30% administrative fees. If you’re serious about transferring, stand firm and threaten to report them to the Transport Bureau’s driving training division. Now, you can check school ratings and complaint rates on the traffic management app before switching—avoid falling into another trap.