Are There Still Five Chances After Switching from Manual to Automatic Transmission?
2 Answers
One registration allows for five exam attempts, and the number of attempts will not increase due to switching to an automatic transmission. Within the validity period of the driving skill test permit, the number of scheduled attempts for both the Subject 2 (parking skills) and Subject 3 (road driving skills) exams must not exceed five each (i.e., a total of ten exam attempts). If a candidate fails the fifth scheduled exam, any previously passed subjects will be invalidated, and the candidate must restart the exam process from Subject 1. Relevant information about the driver's license exam is as follows: 1. Introduction: The driver's exam is a qualification test organized by the Vehicle Management Office of the Public Security Bureau. Only by passing the driver's exam can one obtain a driver's license and legally operate a motor vehicle. 2. Content: The exam for motor vehicle drivers is divided into three subjects: Subject 1 (theoretical exam on traffic laws and regulations), Subject 2 (parking skills, commonly known as the "yard test"), and Subject 3 (road driving skills and safety knowledge, commonly known as the "road test"). The exam content and passing standards are uniform nationwide, with specific exam items determined based on the type of vehicle being licensed for.
Someone previously asked me if they could switch to an automatic transmission after failing the manual transmission test a few times, and whether they still had five attempts left. When I teach others to drive, I often emphasize that attempts are not transferable. If you fail the manual transmission test three or four times, those failures do not carry over to the automatic transmission test—each type is calculated separately. Automatic transmissions are inherently simpler to control, with more intuitive coordination between the throttle and brakes, and typically have a higher pass rate. Don’t stress too much about switching; just go to the DMV and ask about the specific rules instead of guessing the number of attempts. When preparing for the test, practice simulated operations more to familiarize yourself with the differences in shifting logic. This can help reduce the risk of failure in the new type. If you do encounter issues, don’t lose heart—keeping a steady mindset is key. In fact, driving an automatic transmission is more convenient for daily commutes, as you don’t need to press the clutch in traffic, reducing fatigue. Of course, safety always comes first once you’ve secured your license.
