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When you talk about "not English version of the new test still" are you talking solely about the 100 question computer test or is "laoshan" talking about the whole program that it runs for people to take the test with them ???? could you clarify or have I missed something hereQuote:
Originally Posted by FarTravel
Don't just take a friend who can just translate, take a friend who knows the answer to the question? IMOQuote:
Originally Posted by FarTravel
Is the Laoshan school in BJ a MC riding school? 2000+ rmb sounds to me like you are intending to take the whole MC course leading up to sitting the practical and theory tests? If so, then there's the possibility that something is being lost in the communication/translation. If it's not that, then it might be possible that if you do all this through that Laoshan school, that due to some complexities not foreseen, the THEORY test cannot be offered to you in English or a language other than CHS. Maybe there's some misunderstanding somewhere along the way. Maybe one or other thinks someone means one thing, and another takes the response as meaning something different. Cross cultural communication perhaps?Quote:
Originally Posted by FarTravel
It's got to be some aspect related to the school...(is my thinking)?
You really need to have someone who knows about the rules, MC's, the whole process etc. Everyone here (in PRC) will have a view and opinion, which may or may not be correct.
TIC - LFZ
^ what he wrote...Quote:
Originally Posted by prince666
Thanks for the feedback guys. I was referring to the written/computer test that I would need to take at the beginning of the process. And yeah, I need to do the whole process since I've never had a license overseas. From my understanding the process involves first the multiple choice computer test, followed by a couple riding tests. This school is an MC school and they offer the classes which one has to take in order to also take the riding tests at their location. And this I'm sure is only in Chinese which isn't a problem as its spoken. However the initial computer test is not taken at their location, despite the fact that I have to register for all the tests there, and the test as I was told through a friend is not offered in English.
You guys may be right about the miscommunication as my buddy doesn't really speak English, more so dumbs down the chinese that the 'baoming' lady is speaking. This is why I was hoping someone on here has gone through the experience in Beijing recently to see their take, as I presumed there is probably something I'm missing.
I'm going back Monday with a bilingual friend and can hopefully get more info and register. Will post an update if I get any progress.
Thanks again and cheers!
Make sure you ask around and find out if any relatives of friends are in the Gong An, and ask politely for help, flirt with female officers in the police station, ask them about their kids and their schooling and discreetly ask around how much passing different sections of the test cost, just to cut the crap and jump through the hoops quicker. All horrid moves that a sociopath might use to help themselves get ahead in the west are just normal behavior in China.
My Chinese friend suggested I change my car driving license to the chinese driving license and that way avoid doing the first test (which they still claim to not have in English). Has anyone tried this route?
If the first computer test is indeed the same for motorcycles and cars this might make sense, and then I could forgo doing the computer test and go straight to the driving moto tests. Anyone try this?
All things being equal (which in PRC they're not), if you go down that route it might prove a hindrance - here's why. When you apply to convert your overseas DL to a PRC DL and successfully pass the written exam - computersied test (and all other parts e.g. medical), and then get your new PRC DL (C1 etc) actually physically issued. Jobs done - all done. Meaning that once the PRC DL is issued, it is sometimes impossible to have anything added or the PRC DL altered in any way until it is time for the renewal - even then it can sometimes be a problem.
So if you were to plan on using the overseas DL to go through the process of gaining a local PRC DL, just so you can sit the 100 question test in English, it might work for you, provided you don't proceed much further with the PRC C1 DL process beyond the exam otherwise even you sit the exam and the results of that are used both for the PRC C1 DL and to proceed with your motorcycle training - and you were to say have the PRC C1 DL actually issued, you might not be able to have the motorcycle endorsement added if successful at the end of the training. Maybe the motorcycle training school might be able to have this aspect sorted for you... but then again, maybe not.
Be mindful though that you might have some limitations to the period of time that any written/computerised test results remain valid.
It really can be a complicated mess, which is why generally the advice would be, go get a MC DL or endorsement in your home country... real licence with real training.
YMMV
Gottcha, seems even more complicated. Gonna just register for the reg. moto test process and bring a friend to translate. Hopefully convince them this is ok.
Went today to register but Laoshan school was closed. Got some new info from calling and talking to some bike shop owners in the area though. So for anyone with interest in doing the same thing in Beijing...
- The cost at Laoshan for the school and tests (all inclusive) is 2,500rmb.
- They still claim there is no English version of the test despite my polite protests.
- For Beijing, this is the only school allowing foreigners. The registration for the first written test is done at Laoshan, but the first (computer) test is administered eslewhere.
- The nearby shop owners now claim that Beijing's Jing A plate is now 90,000rmb and will continue to rise.
Thanks biker doc and others for your feedback.
I think price for the school /coach is very low..Becareful of additional costs.Quote:
Originally Posted by FarTravel
Well since I have been waiting nearly a couple years to go through the full process of getting my motorcycle license (not available in English in my city that I know of yet), I decided to get my drivers license instead (also needed to do the full process). This was complicated during the second and fourth testing phases do to the fact my Chinese is not tuned to rules and regulations of driving. The second phase was taken on a massive driving course monitored by lasers and cameras and I was only given one chance to correct one mistake OR I would have to wait a month and take the same test again. I passed after the third time and thankfully so because I was only given 5 times to take this test or I would have to do everything all over again (was not told this when I started). The fourth and final test phase was another computer test which my driving school failed to inform me that it was completely different from the first test (first test has 100 single answer questions, final test has 50 sometimes multiple answer questions). Of course my school didn't have any books in English and I had to get my wife to find them on baidu, DL and then painfully translate all the questions. Now that I can legally drive my car in China I was informed that I have to wait another year before I can even think about going to get my motorcycle license...that's IF it will be translated in English by then (not holding my breathe).
Hi, what was the most recent update on doing the change over for the car license first?Quote:
Originally Posted by FarTravel
It seems that many people have said that it is indeed the same test, (computer test) and the fact that they don't have an english language computer test for the motorbike, is just ridiculous.
Any updates though?
I will only say this once so people don't ask again
The Car/Bike Computer test is the same ! No special
test for Bikes!!! that is not to say "Maybe" the odd bike
question "COULD" come up .
I just did the whole process of obtaining a Chinese driver's license with motorcycle endorsement (C1E) a couple of weeks ago in Beijing. I already have a Washington State driver's license with motorcycle endorsement, so your situation might be different. But, when I took the written test, I didn't encounter a single motorcycle-related question. Nor does the study book have any information on motorcycles.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1288711
Anyway, details of that process are in my newbie thread here: http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...member-Beijing!
Ahh, just realized that I've been talking to you in my thread, and on text message... lol. Anyway, may as well post here in the "getting a license" section so that it might help others that read this thread.
Galenernest, was this written test in English? I realize the transferal of an existing foeign licence is a much easier process, but if the tests really are the same for car and moto WTF?
As for an update on mine... the get a car licence first then transfer it over seems just as complicated, and as people have said even once done you have to wait a whole year to switch it to a moto one. So I've decided to wait until Spring 2015 since its too cold now anyway and hope they come out with an English test by then.
Also an interesting FYI, a Chinese friend of mine spoke to someone at the police station recently and was told foreigners that cant speak Chinese can actually apply (apparently theres a form) to have a translator permitted for the test, BUT because its a complicated process for them they usually just say this isnt allowed to avoid trouble. So I was advised to either try this route which may not work and will be a headache or get an out of town licence.
As far as I'm aware if you transfer your car and motorcycle license you'll only have to do the car multi-choice questions, or that's how it was when I did mine. In Chinese mentality a car is like an upgrade from a motorcycle, despite how much better a good motorcycle is than a rubbish car.Quote:
Originally Posted by FarTravel
I took a 100 question written test offered in many languages, including English. There wasn't a single motorcycle-related question on the exam. Three days after passing the test, I picked up my C1E license.
Hey guys, just a quick update on mine.
I spent the afternoon today running about trying to figure out the process, and perhaps register for the full motorbike license. ( i was also keen to ask if i could just do the car computer test in English and then transfer it across for the motorbike)
Well i got my answers.
What bikerdoc said before in a previous forum, is indeed correct. If you switch over your car license for a chinese one. (and you don't have your bike license back home) you have to wait a full year before you can register at laoshan to do the motorbike lessons and test.
when i asked the dude why? he just shrugged and said... 'unfortunately that's the rules.'
Also went to the address that is on the laoshan website, where they tell you to go to register if you are a foreigner. (石景山区，万达广场F座25层2508）This is bullshit. When i came in they said 'oh... ok let's see your chinese i.d. card.' ... but i'm clearly a foreigner.
So finally got pointed in the right direction (to the real laoshan driving school & registration office) and arrived there just as it was closing.
But after all of this bureaucratic shit, i at least got the forms to fill in and the process.
I will take a scan when i'm at work on monday and upload it, (because i don't want to just take a camera phone pic~ not very useable for the rest of you)
The deal with the computer test- It is all in Chinese, there's no getting around this. But, it's the same test as the english one- why they can't just transfer it across i have absolutely no idea.
But i think they also stress this point so as to put off foreigners from taking the test.
I think the way i'm going to do it, is practice for the english test, understand the 'logic' behind the answers. [oh yes the post 2013 test has logic in it... the one before that... was just about memorizing]
and then buy the book in chinese to get a feel for how they ask the questions in chinese.
I will post up the forms with the translations as best as i can on monday, and instructions on how to buy the book. But for now i'm exhausted
@Far travel, i intend to go through this whole process so if you want to try it with me, you're more than welcome
Actually, that makes a lot of sense. That would explain whey galenernest said that no motorbike questions came up.Quote:
Originally Posted by ZMC888
Damn, David... that's a lot of bullshit, no doubt.
I can read over 1000 Chinese characters, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to take a theory exam in Chinese.
To be honest, if I were faced with your predicament, I would probably just go home and get my motorcycle endorsement, then return to China with that and get my license that way... (of course, I'm always looking for some excuse to go home for a few weeks, haha!)
I'm sure others will appreciate the legwork you're putting into this endeavor!
Right,
Here is the chinese full processAttachment 16685
Here is my own translation, for you to have an idea:
Lao shan Motorbike license process {loosely translated}
1.) Give in all forms and required documents with their originals.
The documents will be checked and your originals will be handed back to you after your registration.
Pay your registration fee and you will be given another document showing that you have officially registered and paid.
2.) Take your originals again, settle your computer test time. [cannot organise for the same day, as your registration date]
3.) Go take part in the computer test at your specified appointment time.
Make sure you bring your I.D and your form showing that you’ve paid and that says you are supposed to be there at that appointment time.
Note- you have to turn up otherwise your score is 0. Your fine will be 50 元
If you don’t pass you also have to pay 50 元 to take the test again
(there is no information about how many times you can take the test, just that you have to organise in advance and cannot do it on the same day)
4.) After you pass the 1st course (the computer test) and get your ‘certification of pass’, take this back to the registration office. (where you initially registered for the whole process)
Note-You have to take this ‘certification of pass’ to the registration office within a certain amount of time otherwise they cannot arrange the training – does not explain how much time you’ve got.
5.) Come to the test for training.
If you do not attend every lesson of the practical training you cannot take the practical test.
[also doesn’t say how many days of practical training there is, but from other sites it seems to be 1 week Monday-Friday in the mornings]
6.) Do exam of 2nd & 3rd course [Note- there’s no reference to a 3rd course, but just assume it’s the practical training exam split into 2 sections]
If you pass this they will give you a new ‘certification of pass’ , but this time is will have a time stamped on the paper. (specific time needed for you to register for next course)
Take this ‘certification of pass’ to the initial registration office once again to make your appointment for the 4th course.
Note- if you do not pass, you must pay 40 元 for re-testing and have to wait 10 days to the next exam session.
7.) Go to the office at appointment time specified to do 4th course
Take your I.D and your ‘certification of pass’
If for some reason you can’t do the exam without a good reason you get 0.
(don’t know what a good reason is)
If you didn’t attend, or you didn’t pass you have to pay a 60 元 re-registration fee.
If you do pass they will tell you a time you can pick up your license.
Here is the medical check form as well, which is needed for both the Car license (including transferring over your foreign car license) & your Motorbike license
Attachment 16686
If someone knows a list of approved hospitals, especially that does it on the cheap and is not in the middle of nowhere, like the one for the visa check, it would be greatly appreciated
When I did the test the 'medical' test was just an office 'round the back of the cop shop. The medical technically consisted of a raft of exhaustive tests, to make sure that you were 'good enough' to join the hapless sea of imbeciles which is China traffic.
In reality it was two doctors testing eyesight and colorblindness with chart praying that you'd fail so they could extort a few yuan to say you'd actually passed. Why the F**k colorblindness when you can fly a 747 and be colorblind, I'll never quite understand.....
Attachment 16687Attachment 16688
Here's a scan of the brochure listing the approved hospitals for the check. (the font is small, so if you click on the pictures they should open into bigger versions). I went to one near my house that's underlined and marked with a star on the list. "Běijīng shě shčhuě fúlě yīyuŕn" It cost me 10 kuai and about 40 minutes of my time (5 spent figuring out where to gua hao, 15 waiting for the doctor, 10 waiting for a red stamp, and 10 in the actual examination) . The doctors checked my vision, saw that my arms were more or less attached, that on each of my hands I sufficiently had at least three fingers still remaining, that I could stand of my own free will, and sit upright, and apparently didn't suffer from any mental disease. Something like that, anyway.
As ZMC888 noted, often there is a clinical provider service attached to the PSB Traffic Management Bureau office/building handling MV licensing. In Shanghai and Ningbo as well as Beilun district this had been the case. In all these locations where I've been required to undertake such exams, the clinical providers have been located on-site, and are often from one of the local hospitals. No need to go off-site to some other designated clinical provider/hospital. Whenever a basic medical exam was required one would be referred to the building where the provider was on-site. Hearing, vision, BP and other simple assessments would be undertaken usually a 5-10 minute process, the majority being the paper shuffle/waiting. Paperwork stamped accordingly and one sent on their way to continue the process.
As always TIC (LFZ) what works in one jurisdiction may not in another.
Thanks guys for the information,
I will be checking out one of the hospitals this weekend then, and will also help a friend convert his car license.
Hahahah nice, yes China traffic is mostly populated by imbeciles... yet somehow it all seems to work outQuote:
Originally Posted by ZMC888
I've seen plenty of the 'fails', in 12 years. Last classic was one car upside-down on the roof of another. I think both drivers decided to suddenly change lane without looking or signaling.:eekers:Quote:
Originally Posted by 1288711
oh dear, it looks like my dreams of conquering the chinese drivers license might be coming to a quick end.
i've just found out that the australian drivers license is considerably more easy than what they list on their website (at least the west australian one) So i'll be going back to do that in chinese new year. (i do have other reasons for going back, but drivers license is a bonus)
I'm still determined to have a go at the chinese one, as i see it as a challenge... a challenge to beat china at its own demented game.
But there is so much study to do... so many terms to learn, even if you can already read chinese...
^ good call. Gaining the MC DL in WA will serve you better in many ways - it will pay dividends far beyond the bit of plastic itself. Once you have it, then your on the fast track to be able to gain a PRC MC DL too. Just keep in mind that any conditions (e.g. LAMS restrictions etc) on the WA MC DL may hinder your ability to gain a full PRC MC DL though.
Once you are able to 'tick the boxes' needed to get the PRC DL personally I wouldn't bother attempting to go through the process attending the PRC MC classes etc, as they will likely add little to no value to the end game - which is getting your much wanted PRC DL.
Best of luck with the WA DL testing etc.