Can You Get a Driver's License Without Knowing How to Read?
4 Answers
Learning the theoretical knowledge and laws and regulations for driving motor vehicles requires basic literacy. Below is a partial introduction to driver's licenses: 1. Introduction: A driver's license (full name: Motor Vehicle Driver's License), also known as a "driving license," is a document issued by the government's transportation department to individuals qualified to drive, usually in the form of a card. 2. Requirements for Holding: To obtain a driver's license, one must meet the minimum age requirement and pass a driving test. The license typically specifies the types of motor vehicles the holder is permitted to drive. 3. Legal Basis: "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses."
Seeing this question reminds me of a friend who faced a similar situation. He never attended school as a child but had exceptional skills in car mechanics, yet he got stuck on the driver's license test. Nowadays, the traffic rules theory test consists entirely of multiple-choice and true/false questions, with all the questions and options in Chinese characters. There are no voice prompts on the computer screen, and the exam system can't recognize gestures or drawings as answers. From the registration process, you have to fill out a bunch of forms and documents, and even the practice apps are hard to use if you can't read. The DMV staff suggested he learn to read first, as driving requires understanding traffic signs, speed limit boards, etc. I recommended he attend an adult literacy class in the community—learning common traffic-related vocabulary for a few months should be enough to pass the test. But more importantly, after getting on the road, he’ll need to understand various traffic prompts and information. Safety always comes first.
I worked as a driving instructor for several years and encountered illiterate students. The most challenging part was the theoretical tests for subjects one and four, where all questions were text-based. They couldn’t even understand the questions, let alone answer them. They tried signing up a few times but always got stuck in the exam room. Ironically, the practical tests weren’t an issue—they were quite skilled at steering, lane changes, and reverse parking. However, policy requires the theoretical test to be completed independently, with no option for proxy test-taking or voice assistance. I advised them to record key traffic rules and have relatives read the questions for practice. Nowadays, many places offer free literacy classes—learning just 600 characters can help them understand road signs. While learning to drive is beneficial, building a basic literacy foundation is essential. Otherwise, it’s dangerous to hit the road without even being able to read navigation instructions.
Illiteracy indeed poses significant challenges when obtaining a driver's license. The theoretical driving test is a mandatory threshold, requiring form filling and question bank review during registration. Some workarounds I've seen include using speech-to-text software for traffic rule courses or relying on family members to read practice questions aloud. However, candidates must independently operate computers during the actual exam. DMVs offer no special accommodations as the testing system is text-based exclusively. Safety considerations are paramount - drivers must comprehend speed limit signs and highway exit indicators. Community centers now provide basic literacy courses that cover daily-life characters within three months. It's advisable to build this fundamental skill before pursuing a driver's license.
