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If you want to learn to drive in China, you have to put the time in. According to the rules, this should be 31 hours of theory, and 55 hours of practice minimum, including learning reverse parking, road awareness, proper use of the horn, reminders to wear a seat belt, and other such tough-sounding requirements.
But how come China's roads remain some of the deadliest in the world, with a fatality rate per mile driven nearly 10 times that of the US?
The rules for training drivers sound very grand in theory, but in practice young people often need a driving license as soon as possible to meet job requirements. Many institutions providing crash courses have sprung up as a result.
The regulations say that no more than six hours of theoretical training, and four hours of practical driving experience, should be done per day.
But the truth is that most schools wrap up the theoretical sections in an intense three days, with eight hours daily and a mere 24 hours in total, still seven hours short of the required amount.
As for the practical training, normally a month's exercise of 30-40 hours is all you need for an exam. Some trainers even claim that as long as both trainer and his trainee believe it's ok, the trainee can register for an exam. Amazingly you can actually hire someone to sit the theoretical training and exam for you.
Openly, training schools forbid students' absence from theoretical trainings, but off the record, many institutions offer alternative options. Some suggest "To save money, you can instead ask a friend to take the class for you," and some schools even say, "All you need to do is pay money, and we will free you from classes."
You may wonder how students can pass the supposedly tough exam if they haven't taken the classes? Again, teachers help you out. Instead of training expectant drivers according to national principles, trainers teach them how to tactically pass the exams.
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