What a waste of time

Ugh. Today was an annoying day! So back in 2023 or 2024, a new driving license scheme was implemented.

It was something like a "reciprocal acceptance of driving license", where China would recognize Macau and Hong Kong driving license, and vice versa. One would still need to go "convert" or "dub" a driving license, but there will be no need to do any sort of exam.

All the while, I was very interested in doing that. I read and I read the instructions. I saw other people doing that. Finally I decided to take the plunge and go today.

Requirements:
1. Have a Permanent Resident Status in Macau. Check
FAQ: what about for non-Chinese nationals? It is fine, as long as you have a Permanent Resident Status in Macau.

2. Need to register a Chinese phone number. Check.

3. Need to do a body and eyesight check, available to do in a "multimedia box" thingamajig. Check.

4. Recent 6-month photos. Check.

5. Pay. Check.

So I made the appointment, took some time out of the office, braved the HZM Bridge Border, walked over to the China side traffic department... IN THE SUN.

It was all for nothing. I went there, went into the machine, did the test (eye test had to be redone), got my photos taken, which looked not bad, really, and then I went to submit my documents.

Can't do it.

I don't have a Chinese name registered on my Macau Resident Card.

I kept asking, nowhere in their instructions was it said that I need a Chinese name.

"Oh, but you're in China, so you need a Chinese name."

Okay, fair enough, but still, there was absolutely no mention of the need of a Chinese name, not on the website details, not in the FAQ, not in message boards. I even asked what about the foreigners? And they replied foreigners would go to institutions to get a Chinese name registered (they get a certificate that says John Smith is 士約翰) and with that, need to re-do the body check in a hospital.

So what about the money I paid already?

You can try to call the company to get it refunded.

What the bejeeeeezus!

For once in my life I was so careful, did so much research, read all those pages, heck I read in simplified Chinese (which always gives me a headache), and still I couldn't get what I went there for.

Forget it. I don't need to be able to drive in China. I can survive on Didi (China uber).