Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    UNDER a number of new traffic rules that took effect Jan. 1, driving tests in the city have become more difficult. As a result, the number of candidates failing driving tests has increased significantly.

    Among the 106 drivers who passed road tests Monday, the first day when changes to driving tests became effective, only four of them passed the theory test of civilized driving, a new item which was introduced under the new traffic rules.

    According to Zhou Guoju, deputy section chief with the Vehicle Administration Department of Shenzhen traffic police, the theory tests requires candidates to have a more comprehensive understanding of traffic rules instead of simply reciting or making a choice between true or false.

    “The difficulty didn’t increase as such. Many students failed because we changed the examination mode and many candidates were not well prepared for this,” said Zhou.

    A man surnamed Lin was among the four who passed the examinations. He said there wasn’t much change in the practical and theory tests. But in the civilized driving theory test, there were items to test the response of examinees about facing emergencies and driving in extreme weather conditions through animations.

    Training fees also rose as a result of increased training hours. The fees have been raised to around 5,200 yuan (US$835). Moreover, training schools must compile their own test books based on the examination guidelines.

    Huang Xuguang with Shenzhen Drivers Training Industry Association said it is working on a guideline over training fees under the new rules. Huang estimated that the fee would increase to 5,500 yuan after the Spring Festival.

    The new traffic rules, labeled the strictest in China’s history, have caused an increase in the illegal business of selling points to offenders.

    At some websites, some people engaged in “business handling traffic violations.” One point now fetches 200 yuan (US$32.14). According to Shenzhen Economic Daily, which quoted a man surnamed Luo who was involved in the business, some driving license holders who don’t drive accept the points for money. Police reminded drivers that it was illegal to trade points.