Online platform connects drivers, teachers

An innovative online platform that provides services for prospective drivers was launched this month in Shenzhen, allowing driving students to book classes directly with instructors.

Students logging onto the WeChat account "myJiaKao" are able to choose car instructors and book classes by themselves.

So far, more than 100 driving instructors in Shenzhen have registered on the platform, according to an employee surnamed Han at Shenzhen Tian Yi Hui Tong Technology, the company that developed the platform.

"Similar to the car-hailing app Didi Kuaidi, our platform acts as a bridge between driving students and instructors," said Han. "It can help solve difficulties in booking classes through driving schools and reduce tuition fees for students."

According to the pricing on "myJiaKao", a complete driving course costs about 5,180 yuan ($810). The price at traditional driving schools is normally more than 7,000 yuan in the coastal city.

Driving instructors who want to register on the platform need to provide their driving and teaching qualifications, as well as qualified teaching vehicles.

A number of driving schools in Shenzhen are currently carrying out reforms by renting their teaching venues and vehicles out to instructors, who, in turn, pay a certain amount of management fees to the schools.

"Instructors who receive students through our platform are able to earn the majority of the tuition fees, higher than the amount they get in driving schools," said Liu Wanjun, executive general manager of the company. The platform only charges about 10 percent of the fees as commission, she said.

Driving students are able to gain greater autonomy in the learning process through the online platform, Liu added. "They can arrange for classes according to their own schedule. Moreover, they can give ratings to the instructors, helping them improve the quality of their teaching and attitude."

However, some Shenzhen residents have reservations about the new service. Wang Tian, who got her driver's license last year, said that although it was hard to book classes because of the large number of students, she would still choose to register at a traditional driving school.

"Compared with the online platform, studying at traditional driving schools is more systematic and reliable. I know whom to talk to if I meet any problem or difficulty," the 33-year-old housewife said.