Can I Transfer to Another Driving School in a Different Location?
3 Answers
It is possible to transfer to another driving school in a different location, but specific regulations may vary depending on local traffic laws. For example, in Shenzhen, the "One-Certificate Nationwide Exam" policy is implemented, allowing mainland Chinese residents to apply for a small car driver's license with just their ID card at any location nationwide, without needing to submit a residence permit. Transferring to a new driving school requires additional payment: Since the new driving school is not affiliated with the original one, you will need to pay new training/registration fees. Enrolling in a new driving school means using their resources, such as vehicles and instructors, so fees are naturally incurred. However, it is worth noting that any subjects already passed at the original driving school will remain valid after the transfer and do not need to be retaken. Points to note when applying for a refund from the original driving school: Be sure to keep the original invoices and the contract signed during registration. If these documents are lost, the driving school will generally not issue a refund. You can first try negotiating with the school. If negotiations fail, you can call 12328 to file a complaint or report the issue to the local transportation authority's management office.
I remember last year when I moved to Beijing for work and needed to learn driving. I had already passed Subject 1 at my hometown driving school. Later, I found out that transferring schools across regions was actually quite convenient. After checking the policy online, I directly called my original driving school to apply for a transfer certificate. They provided me with a transcript and electronic records. Once the new driving school accepted me, they immediately arranged for me to practice driving and take subsequent exams, saving me a lot of money and time. The key is to communicate in advance to avoid losing records and delaying progress. The whole process was quite smooth, and I think this is a great benefit for the mobile population. I highly recommend friends in similar situations to give it a try and not worry about starting over. Now that policies have been relaxed, transferring schools is basically nationwide, as long as you have exam records.
I had just started learning to drive when a friend suggested that transferring to a different driving school in another city could be quite cost-effective. After passing Subject 1, I moved and first contacted my original driving school to obtain a transfer application, then uploaded my ID documents to the online system. Once the new driving school accepted me, my training automatically continued without needing to pay again or retrain. This saved me two to three thousand yuan! The only thing to note is ensuring the original driving school records are complete and not delaying the process too long. Nowadays, you can check the procedures easily through mobile apps or WeChat mini-programs—it’s simple and convenient. If you’re also relocating, give the transfer a try—it saves time and effort, so don’t hesitate. From my personal experience, the transfer process took just a day or two, and subsequent exams were seamlessly connected, greatly improving my quality of life.
