How to get a Chinese Motorcycle License

Hot diggity! Congratulations to Fay! And to you both for having the wherewithal to get the January 2013 study guide, which obviously is the key. Others who complained about the new test clearly were just "misprepared" for the new question bank. Was Fay able to single out questions that were substantially different in tone or detail from the previous question bank? In other words, can she describe qualitatively or quantitatively how the new exam is different?

That fellow who is selling the question bank for 1 kuai is a real saint. Hope he stocks other languages soon...

Cheers

The first thing she noticed was there are no questions on broken arms, spinal fractures, nor if you crashed into a lake, how would you get out of the sinking car?

I will ask her late, what some more differences are, and let it be known.

Fay said the new test is definaty easier than the old one.

When I was looking over her shoulder, when she was skimming the book, from what I saw, it was almost 100% pictures, from sitting in the drivers seat, and looking forward to differing road conditions.

When we were at the test place in Weifang this morning, they (students) are marshaled into groups of 100.
Then placed in holding areas. They test 100 students as a time at the computer desk consoles.
There are 3 holding areas
1st place is outside the side building, and there is a name call.
Then that 100 move to inside the down stairs.
They wait there for about 15 minutes.
Then another name call to double check
Then that group go up stairs to next holding/waiting area.
They are there for another 15 minutes or so.
Then that group go into the test hall.

Fay was told to be there at 09:30, but we arrived early, at about 09:10
She was in the 10:30 group of students to be tested.

It is my guess that in Weifang, about 700 students are tested every day.

Oh, she has just said there are 894 questions.

Gra.

When I was looking over her shoulder, when she was skimming the book, from what I saw, it was almost 100% pictures, from sitting in the drivers seat, and looking forward to differing road conditions.

Does this means that you dont need the to be able to read anymore? Sometimes I suspect that taxi drivers cannot read at all

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Originally Posted by kikikillercat

did you take a test in English?
thanksssss

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I supposed to do it in English but when I went to the Police office (after they called me and asked me to come) it turned out that they dont have it in English..........grrrrrrrrrr
I was real pissed off but of course I didnt do anything as arguing would do more harm than good.

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Originally Posted by Nuhaus

Pretty sure you cannot get a plate without a license. Hoping some others will chime in on this as it seems pretty effed up. Is there an effort now to prevent foreigners from getting legal licenses?

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Well, with 1 billon 400 millions people china as other things to do then taking care of less than a percent of foreigners mostly healthy compare to millions that need care.
So it is one thing to be pissed off or b.tch about things we are not agree with but at the end of the day, with so many people to deal with, plus trying to stay on top etc and considering how it took other countries decades (in more friendly environment to change things) It just appear to me that china is going 200 X faster than any of our respective countries. not perfect yet but I just hope they remember to update the English version as fast as possible so I can have my license and get a proper ride :-)

A small drift away from the new rules. I have passed the exam late last year and got C1E license, that does not allow me to drive a side car right? Will I have to redo a whole song and dance again just to update the license?! Any experiences?

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Bakas

I have passed the exam late last year and got C1E license, that does not allow me to drive a side car right? Will I have to redo a whole song and dance again just to update the license?! Any experiences?

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Congratulations on your success. You are correct - a C1E is only for passenger cars and 2-wheeled motorcycles. not sidecars. The sidecar license is commonly a C1D (which includes cars and 2-wheeled MCs).

The rules in Beijing, based on the Traffic Code, are that you need to hold the C1E classification for at least 12 months before you can upgrade to a C1D (requires new lessons & testing).

By the way, I confirmed with the Traffic Police this morning that the English version of the new exam is still not available in Beijing. No information on when it will become available. I would guess that Beijing/Shanghai will be the first couple of cities to implement the English version.

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Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou

The rules in Beijing, based on the Traffic Code, are that you need to hold the C1E classification for at least 12 months before you can upgrade to a C1D (requires new lessons & testing).

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Please clarify, thanks.
This applies to everyone, lets say your international driving license has all the unrestricted motorbike endorsements (incl. sidecar) and of course the English / Chinese translations was correct?!?

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Originally Posted by TB-Racing

Please clarify, thanks.
This applies to everyone, lets say your international driving license has all the unrestricted motorbike endorsements (incl. sidecar) and of course the English / Chinese translations was correct?!?

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This applies to someone who acquires a Motorcycle driving license endorsement inside China, by taking the training course, written exam, and road test. If you pass, and get the C1E, you must wait 12 months before you can do the testing for a C1D. If you are originally after the C1D (a possible, direct upgrade from the C1), you must initially register for the sidecar training course/exam.

It also (technically) applies to someone who secures a Chinese DL with a MC endorsement because they have one back home (i.e., gets the translation, passes the written exam, etc). The default issuance (in Beijing) is a C1E, unless a person specifically states in the translation that his/her overseas license is for both motorcycles & sidecars. As we all know, most full overseas MC licenses include sidecars (actually, there is typically not a sidecar category), but the translations will often just mention "motorcycles" (again as we all know, sidecars are a separate category in China).

There are instances, however, of people being given the C1E (due to the MC endorsement back home, and "motorcycle" translation) and successfully arguing (immediately) that it should have been a C1D. But that appears to be more of a one-off case-by-case situation, depending on the willingness of the PSB to do so. Technically, any DL upgrade is not supposed to be provided until the person has "1 year driving experience" (Chinese Traffic Code). I think in these exceptional circumstances, the C1E holder has to cancel the license and go through the process again, specifically requesting the C1D, although I have heard of a few cases where the person successfully argued to get the C1E immediately changed to the C1D, without any additional testing. But that is outside the "rule."

The "rule" is ... one year driving experience before any DL upgrade. Once a DL is issued it is a bureaucratic effort to modify it outside the "rule" and, therefore, meets resistance from the lovely people at the Traffic Management Branch.

Alas, TIC so there will always be exceptions to the "rule."

From what I've been told, the 1 year rule is a blanket rule that is intended for passenger cars -> minibus -> bus -> truck, etc. Motorcycles are just a speck of dust that get swept up in the "rules." We motorcyclists like to believe we are more important than we actually are.

I had a little set back today. Trying to apply to make the license since quite a while now. First I was told that after my cars drivers license I would have to wait one year before I can do anything else, including the motorbike. Now that the time has come they tell me I can not add a "lower" license to my cars license, only a higher one. I would have to cancel the license I have, first make the motorbike and add the car again. WTF??? Earlier they had no english motorbike exams... now some driving schools even tell me the county is not issuing any license any more... -Guandong, Huzhou

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Originally Posted by snakeeater

I had a little set back today. Trying to apply to make the license since quite a while now. First I was told that after my cars drivers license I would have to wait one year before I can do anything else, including the motorbike. Now that the time has come they tell me I can not add a "lower" license to my cars license, only a higher one. I would have to cancel the license I have, first make the motorbike and add the car again. WTF??? Earlier they had no english motorbike exams... now some driving schools even tell me the county is not issuing any license any more... -Guandong, Huzhou

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whenever someone behind a counter tells you something we assume they know what they are talking about and its a fact as policy...no no no....its the guys f...ing option.....everyone is told something different ....the truth is...if they havent been involved directly with any single process ..then it cant be done!!!

ive had plenty of girls angry at me for asking them to 'please ask another person'...they say "what you dont believe me"?...no i dont think that person knows....... i think the best is to keeping asking,,,then ask someone else...until you get the answer you want...

i first got the car lic. then i got the moto...moto was more difficult. was told i couldn't get either one...but i did. i had to take two seperate tests,,but only computer....the moto one i had to keep pursuing the avenues with the traffic police until they would let me take the test... i have a unexpired moto lic. from my country..that did help.

keep trying ...everytime a foreinger gets a lic. an angel gets his wings.....no..really it makes it easier for the next guy!

Hello,
I am new to this forum. Its good to see there is such an alive community in china that is eager to drive bikes despite all the troubles that "living in china" can put in your way.
My buddy slenderman pretty much described whats our plan already
We would like to get bikes to do some weekend trips and maybe a few "bigger" roadtrips around the country.
My friend has a car/motorcycle license from italy and plans to transfer that to an C1E license very soon, - he just faced the fact that there was an update on the test questions and till now there is no english version available.

My problem is, that i have a german car license but no motorcycle license. I did some research and found out that you can make a motorcycle license in shanghai from scratch with a little effort.
I have a residence permit and all necessary papers. What I couldnt find till now is a driving school that teaches in english. that seems to not exist.
Does anyone know the procedure and has some useful contacts on how i could get a chinese motorcycle license?

How careful do they check the translated original at the test center? I was thinking just going there and apply for a C1E license right away, see what happens
I know how to drive a bike and if there is a way to get that license without all the hassle of finding a school and do lessons etc... would also be appreciated.

as the chinese local guys will tell you "everyone knows how to ride a motorcycle" but they still have to go through many of the loops of testing and coaching that is required.. when you have your lic. translated..you will pay 150 kuai to have it done by a respected agency. they actually go to your country website of motor vehicle to translate the info...like my lic. is based on weight of vehicle..in china it is the number of people in the vehicle..so they make shift what they can.... ok dif. for moto..but dif. if you dont have moto lic in your country...they probably require a driving test...good luck.... i had to do two seperate lic. but no driving because my moto lic in my country was not expired...

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Originally Posted by Golden boy

My problem is, that i have a german car license but no motorcycle license. I did some research and found out that you can make a motorcycle license in shanghai from scratch with a little effort.I have a residence permit and all necessary papers. What I couldnt find till now is a driving school that teaches in english. that seems to not exist.Does anyone know the procedure and has some useful contacts on how i could get a chinese motorcycle license?

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A mate did his full motorbike license here in Shanghai some years ago and had to go to Xiao Kunshan Driving School to complete the full learning cycle and classes (Driving and Theory). He was allowed to use an employee from his company as translator for the Chinese theory lessons. The actual test was done at the old Vehicle Manangment Bureau (Minhang District). Might help to visit the Shanghai Vehicle Managment Bureau in Puxi or Pudong and enquire but you might get different answers from different people as always.... TIC.

edit: Xiao Kunshan Driving School, Shanghai, Songjiang, Zhongshan East Rd 中山东路202‎ (phone 021-57715301) might be still operating but has been a few years since my mate went there......

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Originally Posted by Golden boy

How careful do they check the translated original at the test center? I was thinking just going there and apply for a C1E license right away, see what happens. I know how to drive a bike and if there is a way to get that license without all the hassle of finding a school and do lessons etc... would also be appreciated.

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they translate the overseas driving license down to the dot and quite knowledgable about overseas driving license and vehicle classes, requirements and restrictions.one word of advice, do not fall for the dodgy fly by night visa and driving license services advertising on the internet or in various boards.....

Police deny they limit driving tests


Shanghai Daily / Mar 21, 2013
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SHANGHAI traffic police said yesterday that they do not limit the number of people taking driving tests after some local driving schools blamed the prolonged examination cycle and decrease in new students on police restrictions.


Police said any disruption is caused by the more demanding tests and large number of people who signed up for driving school late last year. In China, driving school training is required before taking the tests.


"There's no such thing as a restriction," said an official with the Shanghai Traffic Police. Police said they and traffic administration are also working on a plan that will "enforce the standard time for learning using training vehicles to ensure the quality of the teaching." The plan will be released by year's end.


The number of students taking the tests dropped about one-third this year, compared with the same period last year. A total of 72,928 people have taken the tests this year, said police, with another 36,241 still waiting to take the tests.


The higher number of those waiting was caused by a sudden surge of students trying to get into the driving schools at year's end as the schools said tuition would increase with the new, stricter traffic law taking effect this year.


The passing rate for the driving exam plunged this year as the tests added new items in line with the stricter law. That left no room for new students because the ones who failed were retaking the course.


On the section on driving theory taken with computers, the passing rate slid to 76 percent from the previous 90 percent, police said. The road tests dropped from 85 percent to 48 percent at some testing centers.


Police expected that the bulge will ease after the current students gradually pass the tests.


Big changes are expected among driving schools this year, industry sources said, with schools that are lax in teaching expected to be weeded out.


"We'd like to see an increase in driver abilities, especially for the rookies, and fewer accidents caused by poor driving skills," said Li Hui, an officer with city traffic police.

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Originally Posted by TB-Racing

they translate the overseas driving license down to the dot and quite knowledgable about overseas driving license and vehicle classes, requirements and restrictions.one word of advice, do not fall for the dodgy fly by night visa and driving license services advertising on the internet or in various boards.....

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As TB Racing said,
They translate your foreign licence exactly - most of the time.
However, when I had my UK licence (car, big car, bus, truck, bike, big bike, friggin' steam roller !, , ,, ) translated, stupid bint, didn't put down about my motorbike details.
Her "reason" was, well why do you want to drive a motorbike, when you have a car licence.
She just didn't get it.

Any way, what I am saying is, just make sure your translated document regarding you home country licence categories are translated "like for like" with nothing missed.

Gra

Nothing to do with bikes, but cars.

My wife went to take her car test last Monday.
She had been practicing for a month.

Paralell reverse parking - no problem
Revers into parking space from right and left - no problem
Hill start - no problem
"S" road = no problem
Left turn - no problem.
These are the 5 things the students are tested on.

Fay was eleventh in line at the test center, she failed.
As did nine of the ten who went before her.

So it is looking like a 10% pass rate.
We didn't hang around to see if others wer passing of failing.
They test 110 students at 8:00am start,
Another 110 students at 11:00am start,
Another 110 students at 14:00pm start,
Another group of students at 16:30:00pm start,

She stopped 50mm too soon on the hill start - fail.

Now she needs wait 20 days, to redo the test again.

Gra.

I have a question about license plate: I have three motos in a girls name. of course i paid for them but had to put in her name for lic. plate... can i now get a receipt from her (as if i bought it) for each moto...to convert to my name on the plates? what do you all think?? :confused1:
thanks

Probably easier than a sex change...

If you have legal residency, it's probably doable. However, you may need to show the original fapiao to prove that the girl has title. Does she or you still have all the original paperwork?

Good luck with it!

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Originally Posted by euphonius

Probably easier than a sex change...

If you have legal residency, it's probably doable. However, you may need to show the original fapiao to prove that the girl has title. Does she or you still have all the original paperwork?

Good luck with it!

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thanks....i have all the original paperwork etc....I only have tourist visa, been here two years. but have an established residence here and registered with the local police and of course driver lic.

Yeah, seems you've got everything in order. If Guilin is allowing other foreigners to register bikes, the transfer should be possible. What was the rationale for registering through a local person? Have those conditions changed?

Why not go for a more robust visa? Find a company to sponsor you for a work permit, and get a one- or multiple-year residence permit...

Why not go for a more robust visa? Find a company to sponsor you for a work permit, and get a one- or multiple-year residence permit...[/QUOTE]

im not married, not working, just riding motos on a tourist visa, but plan to be here for awhile...

originally, in guilin...no moto plates given...10 minutes away...LinGui...guilin spelled backwards issues plates to people who live in that city...so she had paper for that city....therefore, lic plate in her name....got to get it in my name as i dont have someone i want to marry...he he

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Originally Posted by kikikillercat

im not married, not working, just riding motos on a tourist visa, but plan to be here for awhile...

originally, in guilin...no moto plates given...10 minutes away...LinGui...guilin spelled backwards issues plates to people who live in that city...so she had paper for that city....therefore, lic plate in her name....got to get it in my name as i dont have someone i want to marry...he he

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Maybe transfer the three bikes slowly, one at a time, or she might get suspicious....

Reminds me of a guy I know who moved to Hawaii with his wife. Over the course of a year, she slowly moved stuff out. A pair of shoes at a time. Then before he realized it, poof, the closet was empty and she was gone.

How do you get to stay so long on a simple tourist visa?

Surely you have to depart China every 30 / 60 / 90 days ?

Gra.

Does anybody have experience with doing a motorcycle license in Shanghai from Scratch?
It seems that I would have to do driving lessons and theory lessons. I would do that if that is what it takes.
But I cannot find a driving school that can provide lessons in english and my chinese is not good enough to survive in a classroom.

Since I live in Guangzhou and therefore cannot get a motorcycle license here, I thought I would find a way to use my wife's hometown, Zhaoqing - about an hour and a half from GZ, to do it. I do not have a motorcycle license from the states. She called the driver's license issuing dept. in Zhaoqing yesterday and was told that, as a foreigner, I could not get a moto license in Zhaoqing without having a current ML from the U.S. She didn't ask about having a translator present. I'm just sharing that...

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Originally Posted by Graham

How do you get to stay so long on a simple tourist visa?

Surely you have to depart China every 30 / 60 / 90 days ?

Gra.

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yes 90 day multiple entry visa....i usually go somewhere anyway..like taiwan or hong kong.

i have to go to the US to get new one every year....but then i do have family there so its ok.

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Originally Posted by Golden boy

Does anybody have experience with doing a motorcycle license in Shanghai from Scratch?
It seems that I would have to do driving lessons and theory lessons. I would do that if that is what it takes.
But I cannot find a driving school that can provide lessons in english and my chinese is not good enough to survive in a classroom.

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Dear Golden Boy,

The information you need is in this thread. Just a few days ago TB-Racing posted detailed information. It can be done, and many have done it from scratch. Yes, you have to take a driving course, and pass a road test as well as a written exam. All that's changed recently is that the written exams are being updated, and the road testing is becoming more rigorous. Bite the bullet and do it.

cheers

Hi euphonius,
I read TB-racings post, but I was hoping someone has done it more recently, without translator and not out in kunshan.
I know, thats much to ask for, but I want find out if there is a more convenient way than what TB-Racing suggsted.
So if you know any - let me know,

thanks

Hi everybody,

just to share my expereince from getting my driving license beginning of this week in Shanghai.

I had already the motorbike license form Europe, so I had to only make the written test. The test questions changed partly in Jan 2013, so most of the preparation material floating around in the net is partly outdated. Based on this fact, I decided to get help from an agency (contact details can be provided). The agent charged me RMB 1,200. This fee included all official charges for the licnese (picture, fee etc), a catalogue with the new questions (unfortunately only a Google translation) and access to their mock test (with the old questions). Going to the agency for the first time in beginning of Feb, they took some pictures, arranged the test date andprovided me the test material described above. The helath test, they managed to skip and the translation of my European DL was not neede, as I had a valid European International DL including a Chinese translation. At this stage, it was important to check, that they are applying for the correct license C1D or C1E!

The following weeks I went through the new test questions with the horrible Google transaltion. The most importnat new thing is, that they have set of questions with pictures showing different traffic situations and equipment from the car (dashboard lights pedals, switches) The questions with no pictures are not so much different from the ones you know from the old catalogue. In addition, I made som mock tests on the old platform.

In the final test, not a single motorcycle question was included, and about 10 questions were with pictures only avialble in the new question catalogue. Some questions were defintely from the old catlaogue. this makes the situation ab it tricky at the moment.

The test is not easy and straight forward. Without a proper preparation, you are f...ed up. There were two other guys there coming without a proper preparation, and their reactions after they saw their results clearly showed, that you do not have any chance if you do not take it serious.