This picture shot on Monday, April 2, 2007, shows signboards reading "Routes for Real Road Driving Test and Training" along a road in southern Beijing's Daxing District, one of the 26 routes set aside for the new road test. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

With new regulations on driving tests put into force nationwide by the Ministry of Public Security on Sunday, student drivers in Beijing now encounter new challenges, as they must pass a real road driving test before obtaining a license.

Students are required to pass at least 10 out of 13 road test items, including changing lanes, traversing intersections and driving at night. The tests will be held on real roads with one-way traffic flow of at least 60 cars per hour.

In the past, applicants were only required to pass a driving test on special training fields.

The move aims "to prevent traffic accidents at the root and create a safer environment on China's roads," according to an announcement published by the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau on its official website.

In accordance with the new regulations, the bureau designated 26 road routes in different areas of the city for training and testing last month, totaling 257.3 kilometers in all.

The roads started to play the extra role on Sunday, with signboards reading "Routes for Real Road Driving Test and Training" erected alongside them. Signs such as "Buckle Up"  and "Yield to Pedestrians" were also added or replaced.

Concerned about the tougher test, many students chose to take the driving test before the new regulation took effect. That led to many cramming up for the test in the first quarter of the year, with the number peaking in March.

But now students and coaches are giving positive feedback for what they now consider a normal test.

"I'm not sure if the test is becoming tougher or not," said Miss Chang, who recently enrolled herself in training classes at a driving school. "Of course I'll be nervous when taking the road test. But I think it was necessary to change it, as student drivers can improve their practical skills before getting their licenses."

48 student drivers studying at Beijing Oriental Fashion Automobile Drivers School will take the road test on Wednesday, the first in the city.

"I have confidence I'll pass the test. I felt a bit nervous when I found out I would be among the first to take the road test. But now I feel good," said Miss Liu, one of the 48 student drivers. "The new regulation is fine. I heard that some traffic accidents are caused by new drivers, as they are not familiar with the actual situation on the road. Under the new regulation, drivers will be more confident when they actually start driving."

According to the new regulation, driving coaches will be held responsible for any accidents occurring during real road training and police officers for accidents occurring during the test.

"Students have told me training on the real road is easier than they thought," Mr. Wang, a driving coach said. "The new regulation lays more responsibilities on coaches and testing police officers. But it will promote road safety in Beijing and in the country."

A driving coach guides a student driver on the road in southern Beijing's Daxing District, one of the 26 routes set aside for the new road test, on Monday, April 2, 2007. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

Editor: Yan