I am a PRC citizen and have been living overseas for more than 10 years. To get a local driver's licence, I need only pass a test of local traffic rules, since I already have more than 10 years' driving experience.

So I set out to find a book or pamphlet setting out these local traffic rules, so I could learn them in preparation for the test. But I discovered to my annoyance that I was not able to get hold of these regulations anywhere. When I asked at Shanghai traffic police centre, I was informed that I had to pay more than 300 yuan and spend at least two weeks attending "training" organized by nominated agencies in Shanghai.

And the strange thing is, foreigners do not need to do this because they are not PRC citizens.

I lodged a complaint via the police telephone complaint centre. I was told that I could make a further complaint to the Ministry of Public Safety if I wished, but such a complaint would not be worth it because this was "national policy".

Certain government departments are clearly using their control of government policy to profit themselves via nominated private business. Citizens are forced to spend unnecessary money. Nobody can complain because we are dealing here with a government department.

I think that taxpayers' money is being abused. Traffic regulations should be public knowledge. And PRC citizens should not be discriminated against in their own country.

Charles Zhao