Can a Temporary ID Card Be Used for the Driver's License Theory Test (Subject 1)?
3 Answers
A temporary ID card can be used for the Subject 1 test, as it holds the same validity as a regular ID card. The admission ticket and other required documents are handled by the driving school, which will distribute them during the exam. Electronic IDs are not accepted for the test. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," the Subject 1 test can be taken twice. If you fail the first attempt, you can retake it for free. If you fail the second attempt, the Subject 1 test will be terminated, and you can only reschedule the test after ten days. The test is conducted on a computer and lasts 45 minutes. The content of the Subject 1 test includes: regulations on driver's licenses and motor vehicle management; road traffic conditions and rules; traffic safety violations and penalties; regulations on road traffic accident handling; basic knowledge of motor vehicles; local regulations; knowledge of braking systems and safety devices for large and medium-sized passenger and freight vehicles; specialized knowledge for wheeled self-propelled machinery, trams, and trolleybuses. Notes for the Subject 1 test: Candidates should pay attention to their attire—no slippers are allowed. Electronic devices and bags are prohibited in the examination room. Bring your ID card and queue to enter the waiting hall. Observe the instructions and procedures on the large screen, and store personal belongings in lockers before entering the examination room. Upon entering, the identity verification desk will assign a seat. Once seated, begin the test, ensuring the camera is aligned with you and adhering to exam discipline. If you fail the first attempt, a retake is available on the same day. If you fail again, you must pay to reschedule. After the test, queue to collect and sign the score report—unsigned reports are invalid. There is no limit to the number of times you can reschedule the Subject 1 test. Each subject can be taken once, with one retake allowed if you fail. If you do not take the retake or fail it, the test is terminated, and you must reschedule. In contrast, Subjects 2 and 3 have only five attempts. Subjects 2 and 3 can be rescheduled after ten days. If you fail the Subject 3 safe driving knowledge test, the passing score for the road driving skills test remains valid. The driver's license test consists of three subjects: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 covers traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge. Subject 2 tests field driving skills. Subject 3 is divided into two parts: road driving skills and safe driving knowledge. The safe driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3, so it is commonly referred to as Subject 4, though this term is not officially recognized in regulations (i.e., the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123). The test duration is 45 minutes.
Just checked the information, a temporary ID card can indeed be used for the Subject 1 test! It holds the same legal validity as a regular ID card and is recognized by the driving test system. However, special attention must be paid to its validity period—temporary IDs usually expire in three months, so make sure it doesn't expire on the test day. Additionally, it's advisable to call the local DMV in advance to confirm, as some places may require you to bring your original household registration booklet as a backup. Last time, my friend almost couldn't take the test because they forgot the household registration booklet and had to have it delivered urgently by family. Also, during identity verification at the test center, temporary IDs sometimes can't be read by card scanners and require manual processing at a service window, so it's best to arrive half an hour earlier than usual to be safe.
My cousin just passed the written driving test (Subject 1) last month using a temporary ID card, and the whole process went quite smoothly. After losing his ID card, he applied for a temporary one at the local police station. On the exam day, he brought it to the test center, and the staff verified his information before allowing him in. It's important to note that the photo on the temporary ID must be clear—if it's heavily worn, you might be asked to reapply. It’s also a good idea to bring a passport or driver’s license as a backup, even if you might not need it—better safe than sorry. I recommend visiting the DMV three days before the test to check the location and have your documents pre-reviewed at the information desk. Remember to keep the temporary ID in a document holder and avoid bending the chip area.
