Is It Mandatory to Attend a Driving School to Get a Driver's License?

[StephenDella]

It is not mandatory to attend a driving school to get a driver's license; you can opt for the direct examination method. Here are the relevant details: 1. Definition: Only personal vehicles are allowed. Under the guidance of a qualified accompanying instructor, you can learn to drive on designated routes and times and then directly apply for the examination. 2. Obtain a Learning to Drive Certificate and a Special Learning Vehicle Identification: According to the measures announced by the Ministry of Public Security, individuals who wish to participate in self-study and direct examination must first undergo a medical examination and pass the subject one test. The vehicle management office will confirm that the self-study vehicle meets the requirements and issue the Learning to Drive Certificate and Special Learning Vehicle Identification free of charge. 3. Determine the Self-Study Vehicle: The driving examination department has clear requirements. The vehicle used for self-study and direct examination must be a non-commercial small car or a small automatic transmission car, and it must also be equipped with safety facilities such as a secondary brake and auxiliary rearview mirror for the accompanying instructor. Additionally, the vehicle must pass a motor vehicle safety technical inspection and be insured with compulsory traffic insurance before it can be verified.

[Javier]

To be honest, you don't necessarily have to enroll in a driving school to get a driver's license. The government does allow self-study and direct testing, and I've seen many people hire private instructors when I worked at the DMV. However, the requirements are quite strict: you must use a training vehicle equipped with a secondary brake system, and the practice area must be registered with the traffic authorities before taking the test. Self-learners need to obtain a learning driving permit and must be supervised by a certified instructor with at least five years of teaching experience throughout the training. I always advise beginners to think carefully—most traffic accidents are caused by lack of driving experience. Professional driving schools' training programs cover critical maneuvers like hill starts, which can be risky.

[Rhonda]

Last week, my cousin got his driver's license without enrolling in a driving school. Instead, he booked a private coach directly through a platform. Saving four or five thousand yuan in tuition fees was real, but driving to the training ground every time for practice was exhausting. His coach was quite reliable, using a phone clipped to the rearview mirror to record movements and explaining things more thoroughly than driving schools. However, he almost gave up a few days before the simulated lighting test for Subject 3, as driving school students had access to practice cars while he had to memorize everything from phone recordings. Self-learning is suitable for experienced drivers who have relatives to accompany them for practice, but beginners are better off enrolling in a driving school for a more cost-effective experience.

[DelJeremiah]

Honestly, choosing a driving school for getting a driver's license is the most hassle-free option. My kid learned to drive last year, and the coach car picked them up and dropped them off every day. The instructor explained the parking spot markers for reverse parking very clearly. If you self-study, you have to arrange for a training car modification yourself, and just the installation fee for the auxiliary brake costs over 2,000 yuan. The driving school has over 40 marked training items, and the practice area is open all day for unlimited practice. Self-learners have to apply for training slots on public roads, and traffic jams can waste a lot of time. Safety is no joke—driving school instructors undergo annual training and exams, making them much more professional than random driving coaches you might find.