buckle up.

I have been studying for my Chinese drivers license for the past week…from what I hear the test can be difficult, but the good thing is if you fail the first time you can head right back in and immediately re-take. If that doesn’t work, you can take it again twice the next day! I am liking my chances and will keep you posted. I wanted to share just a few of the 1500 grammar-challenged, head scratching questions that you might find funny:

There is an entire section of “When encountering…” questions about what a driver should do in real life driving situations that I assure you I had never thought of as necessary until I came to China…

WHEN encountering…
…a flock of sheep
…pedestrians on the road who are highly concentrated in speaking over cell phones
…a blind man on the road (it begs the question…)
…someone herding animals
…an old man riding a bike (it’s a whole different story if he’s young, I guess.)
…a man powered cart
…pedestrians carrying farm tools on shoulders
…an animal drawn cart
…pedestrians wearing cotton padded caps or overcoats in winter (if they're wearing wool, i suppose you can just ignore them.)

I also found some other helpful tips in the driving test study guide…
1. Refrain from competing with a train
2. When a vehicle wades across the water lightly apply brakes
3. A driver is not allowed to drive a motorized vehicle for 4 hours running without stopping the vehicle and having a rest.
4. When there are many wounded persons, those who should be sent to hospital last are the persons suffering cervical vertebra damage NOT those whose intestines and veins are exposed.
5. If the traffic police discover a driver is suspected of driving a motorized vehicle after taking drugs, they should test his intracorporeal content of psychiatric substance.
6. When carrying the wounded persons in coma or in danger of suffocation, they should lie face down and on their side. (huh?)

Have a great day and watch out for cotton padded caps.