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dfoo
Post Roaster
Joined: Jan 19, 2005
Posts: 4140
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Aug 30, 2005 - 10:12 PM |
 
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| Post subject: chinese drivers license + scooter |
Hi,
I got my chinese drivers license today. Here is my account of the this process, since the information that I found online is outdated. Note my gf accompanied me and did all the translation.
The address to go is QinChun Lu, HuMin Lu. Its about 50 kuai ride from JingAn temple. You could also get the subway out to Xinzhaung and then take a short cab ride.
I brought my passport, Canadian drivers license, and yellow paper and money. We arrived at around 11. We first went to the second floor of the appropriate building where they told me immediately that I needed the drivers license translated. Given that the place to do this is on Nanjing Dong Lu it was annoying. First I went to do the picture and medical test, after that we planned on going to get the translation.
After a short walk to the appropriate place I payed 40 kuai, and then got my picture done and took the medical test. The medical test consisted of a hearing test, vision test and color blindness test. Total time was about 10 minutes.
While I was having this test a scalper approached my gf and asked her whether we needed a hand. She explained that we needed a translation. After some negotiation, we left the compound and went to a hearby office. The looked over my license and passport, and after agreeing on 200 kuai for the translation and the remainder of the fees (55 kuai I think) we went back to the test compound. He took the paper upstairs, then they did the translation in the same place that told us we needed to get it done at the official place!!
Given that the translation cost is 50 kuai, the taxi ride there and back would have been 100 kuai and the license fee is 55 I thought 200 kuai was ok.
My advise is if you want your license, get the translation done BEFORE going!
After the translation was complete they gave me the test questions to study. A warning: They are NOT the same questions as are online on various sites referenced from http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/MDForum-viewtopic-t-29857-highlight-scoot er.phtml
After studying for 30 minutes I took the test. 100% -- its very basic.
Then they stamped my paper, and sent me on my way.
Ok, I wanted to get my license for two reasons. 1/ I wanted to be able to rent a car for some weekend trips. 2/ I wanted to get a gas scooter for Shanghai.
I originally wanted a C license (car), and E license (motorbike). Given that I don't have a bike license in Canada they refused to give me the E. I said that actually I wanted only to drive a scooter. They said for a scooter you do not need a license. See the above referenced post... I asked -- are you sure?!? They said, yes. No license required. In fact, they told me as a foreigner in many districts in Shanghai you cannot own a gas scooter at all. I said that I read that it was necessary to have a license, and they told me again (and again), that NO -- no license is required. Ok.
So I went downstairs, picked up my license, and got out of the place. I left at 2:30.
After leaving I went to Honda by the Hymall on WuYi lu, ZhongShan lu. I wanted to buy the 50cc scooter they have (or used to have -- its been sold). I asked him again about the license. He said for the scooter (the 50cc and 150cc one in the shop no license is required). After bargaining for a bit we agreed on a price (I think 5000 or so for the scooter + 1500 for registration). Then he looked at my gfs houkou. Since its in downtown Shanghai he said -- nope, that registration fee would be 16,000. If we wanted 1500 we had to find a Houkou on the outskirts of Shanghai. Furthermore, he wouldn't/couldn't help with that. Oh well, no gas scooter.
At least I have my car license.
Best Regards, Matthew |
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*CheerLeader*Mao
Post Roaster
Joined: July 07, 2004
Posts: 4678
Location: frenCh belgiuM
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| Posted:
Aug 31, 2005 - 01:45 AM |
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good information and right in line with what i have heard over the last couple of years.
Good to know you got your license, it could come in handy for renting cars.
you can take a lot of taxi's for 6500 kuai, and a heck of a lot of taxi's for 16000 to 20000. At about 14 kuai per average ride you could take 1100 taxi's.
That is about how many i take in a couple years.
Looks like getting a bike and taking taxi's is still the best bet. |
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