Do I Need to Affiliate with a Driving School to Take the Road Test in Another Location?
3 Answers
No. According to the regulations of the Ministry of Transport, driving schools are not allowed to open branches or provide training in other locations. Here are ways to avoid signing up with an affiliated driving school: Check the License: A legitimate driving school must have a recruitment point qualification certificate issued by the municipal auto repair management office, with a specific recruitment address and responsible person. The certificate must be displayed at the recruitment point, which is only for enrollment and not responsible for training. Contract or Agreement: A legitimate driving school will sign a "Driver Training Agreement" and provide a formal invoice, while an affiliated driving school only offers a receipt. Don’t Trust Intermediaries or Instructors’ Promotions: Always enroll through official channels and avoid recommendations from acquaintances or intermediaries.
Last year when I took the Driving Test Part 3 in another city, I found it really troublesome, but I had to affiliate with a local driving school. I originally registered in my hometown, but after relocating for work, my test date was approaching, so I had to find a local driving school to arrange things. They helped handle the test venue and instructor, charging a small affiliation fee of around 200-300 RMB. It took me three trips back and forth to get everything sorted. Going directly to the test center might have resulted in rejection due to system mismatches. My advice is to check the local DMV regulations 1-2 weeks in advance, contact a driving school before booking via the 12123 APP to save time and money. In short, don’t be afraid of the hassle—coordinating with a driving school is the safest bet. Once you pass, it’s a huge relief.
From a policy perspective, taking the third driving test (Subject 3) in a different location usually requires affiliation with a driving school. The vehicle management office has strict regulations stating that driving tests must be conducted within the registered driving school; otherwise, arranging the venue and instructor becomes impossible. If you relocate, you either need to transfer your registration to a driving school in the new location or cooperate with a local driving school for affiliation. I've studied many cases where individuals attempted to take the test independently but were rejected, causing significant delays. The fees are generally not high, but it's crucial to sign a proper agreement to avoid scams. You can verify the details through the official 12123 app or the vehicle management office website—don’t rely on unreliable online rumors. To be safe, contacting a reputable driving school is the most practical approach.
