How many hours are required for traffic duty when obtaining a driver's license?
3 Answers
Each person typically performs traffic duty for 1-2 hours per day, with a total requirement of 6 hours. The duty is considered complete only after being signed off by relevant traffic management personnel on the list provided by the driving school. The requirements for traffic duty are as follows: 1. Location: The duty is usually assigned at intersections or crosswalks, with designated spots planned by the traffic management department. Participants just need to arrive at the assigned location on time according to the issued task. 2. Guidance: Wearing a reflective vest and holding a small red flag, participants will be instructed by traffic police. If any drivers or pedestrians are found violating traffic rules at the intersection, they should promptly step forward to provide guidance.
When I took my driver's license test last year, I was required to stand guard for a full two hours at a major intersection with mixed pedestrian and vehicle traffic. At that time, the instructor said every trainee must complete this kind of road duty experience, and I chose the morning rush hour on a weekend. While on duty, I had to wear a fluorescent vest and hold a guiding flag to direct non-motorized vehicles, mainly watching out for electric bikes running red lights. The time wasn't extremely long but not short either, and by the end, my whole body ached. However, I truly gained an appreciation for how tough traffic police work is. The required time may vary in different places—my cousin in a neighboring city only needed to do it for an hour and a half when he took the test.
As someone who's been through it, the scheduling for traffic duty during driver's license exams is actually quite flexible. Our driving school lets students make their own appointments, with shifts available from 7-9 AM or 4-6 PM. I chose the Wednesday afternoon slot, specifically reminding pedestrians at crosswalks not to use phones or run red lights. Though it may seem like just holding up a flag, this is actually a crucial part of traffic safety practice - many driving schools require its completion before allowing students to schedule the third road test. The exact duration varies by region, but my two sessions were both exactly two hours each.
