What to Do If the Driving School Closes Before Completing the Exam?

[LydiaLee]

You can negotiate with the closed driving school to transfer your valid test scores to a new driving school based on the driving training contract, payment receipts, and the agreement signed with the new driving school. Students will need to pay the remaining training fees and exam fees for the remaining subjects at the new driving school, with specific charges to be determined according to the signed contract. Additional Information: Below is a relevant introduction to the subject test content: 1. Subject 1: Road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge test (Subject 1) written exam, computer-based. 2. Subject 2: Field driving skills test (Subject 2) on-site, actual vehicle. Only pass or fail. The five mandatory tests include reversing into a parking space, parallel parking, S-curve, right-angle turn, and hill start and stop, conducted in sequence. 3. Subject 3: Road driving skills test (Subject 3) on the road or simulated site, actual vehicle. 4. Subject 4: Safe and civilized driving-related knowledge (Subject 4) written exam.

[StAlaina]

I also encountered this issue last year when the coach suddenly messaged me saying the driving school had shut down. I was in the middle of preparing for Subject 2 and was extremely anxious. Later, I figured out a solution: first, check the status of your student records on the 12123 traffic management app, then take your ID to the vehicle management office to transfer your records to a new driving school. Remember to ask the original driving school for a transfer certificate—if they refuse, file a complaint with the Driving Training Department of the Transportation Bureau, as they oversee such matters. Some students formed a rights protection group, shared lawyer fees to sue, and recovered part of their tuition—the litigation cost was only 50 yuan. Don’t panic; most cities allow one free transfer between driving schools, and accumulated training hours won’t be reset.

[IvanLee]

Having been a driving instructor for ten years, I've seen too many cases of driving schools going bankrupt. The first thing to do is to keep your contract and payment receipts, as they are crucial for safeguarding your rights. Go directly to the local transportation management office's driving training department to apply for a school transfer record—they have emergency procedures in place. Two reminders: completed subject scores are valid for two years; if the new driving school tries to charge a 'transfer fee,' you can refuse. Some students have successfully complained through the 12328 transportation service hotline, and within three days, a new driving school was arranged to take over.

[StLuna]

As a mediator who has handled dozens of driving school disputes, I can tell you that the law grants students the right to transfer schools freely—don't be intimidated by your original driving school. Focus on three key actions: 1) Print all payment records 2) Visit the DMV to secure your exam score validity period 3) Check the official list of accredited driving schools on the transportation bureau's website. Many new driving schools offer transfer discounts to attract students—in 70% of cases I've handled, students continued their training without additional costs.

[Cameron]

Just helped my cousin with this last week. The lady at the DMV taught us: First, check the original driving school's deposit account at the transportation office (defunct schools have money held there), then apply to transfer the deposit to a new school. Bring your ID and exam admission ticket to the driving test center to process a 'candidate affiliation change.' The fee for the Category 2 test site can be refunded. When looking for a new school, don't rush to pay the full amount upfront—we attended three trial lessons before deciding. Off the record, larger driving schools are more willing to take transfer students as they have dedicated channels for such cases.

[VonKayden]

When I encountered the driving school closing down during my Subject 3 test, I resolved it in just two trips. First, I went to Window 12 at the Vehicle Management Office to confirm my exam eligibility still had 10 months left. Then, I took my contract to the Market Supervision Administration, and they coordinated with a new driving school to waive the 2,000 yuan transfer fee. The progress in the driving app could be directly synced to the new school's system, and all my Subject 2 training hours were retained. If the driving school refuses to refund your money unreasonably, calling 12328 to report them is the most effective—they fear this. Remember, the money you paid is protected by the driving training fund supervision platform and won't go to waste.