Well,I did it. I actually managed to get a Chinese Drivers License. I really didn't have any intentions of getting a license here. I just happened to ask the HR representative of Gillette what it would take to get one out of curiosity. He asked to see my Connecticut drivers license, so I showed it to him. The next thing I knew, we were on our way to get my license officially translated. Then I had to get a physical (yes, a real physical- height, weight, eyes, reflexes) and then I was taken to a building to "register" for the test. I thought, I'd register and return for the test. No. I registered my name, was given a pamphlet with 100 questions and was told to sit and read it. Literally five minutes later, my name was called and I was told to take the test. Ok. Problem. I only got up to question number five. In order to receive a drivers license, you need to score a 90 or above. I scored an 86 and was told to return the next day to retest. I went home, looked over the pamphlet and returned the next morning for the retest and scored a 97. I was given a drivers license on the spot. The good thing about the drivers license is that it states my name in Chinese and my country of citizenship. I figure, if I ever get hit by a car, the only thing they can read in my wallet would be the drivers license. They would know I have a Chinese name and that I am an American.
I have absolutely no intentions of driving in this town. The drivers do not let the pedestrians walk the cross walk, they drive on the sidewalks and they just don't stop for lights at all and you have the constant traffic of bicycles and mopeds to top it all off. I did it as a challenge since I was told that they discourage foreigners from getting licenses. So, I have a license good for the next six years and it's a piece of identification.
