Bribes paid for driving exams

A major case involving paying bribes to pass driving tests has brought corruption in the country's vehicle management departments into the public spotlight.

The case has ensnared the former head of the vehicle management department in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, who was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison, while the examiners turned in more than 21 million yuan ($3.6 million) in bribes they took from test takers.

The discipline inspection commission of Zhanjiang received frequent public tips in early 2012 that to pass the test for a driving license one needed to bribe the examiner. The commission then launched the investigation, together with the city's public security bureau.