Can I retake the Subject 1 test immediately if I fail?
4 Answers
The "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" clearly stipulate that the Subject 1 test can be taken twice on the same day. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, a second free retake is allowed. If the second attempt is also unsuccessful, the Subject 1 test is terminated. Subject 1, also known as the theoretical test or driver's theory test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. The test content includes driving theory basics, road safety laws and regulations, local regulations, and related knowledge. The test is conducted on a computer with a time limit of 45 minutes. A passing score for Subject 1 is 90 out of 100, with 100 questions consisting of single-choice and true/false questions, each worth 1 point. If 11 questions are answered incorrectly during the test, the system will automatically submit the test and end the session. Subject 1 test content: Driver's license and motor vehicle management regulations; road traffic conditions and regulations; road traffic safety violations and penalties; road traffic accident handling regulations; 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. Subject 1 test precautions: During the test, candidates must dress appropriately—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 precautions and procedures on the large screen, and store personal items in lockers before entering the examination room. Inside, verify your identity at the assigned station, then begin the test. Ensure the camera is aligned with you and follow test discipline. If you fail the first attempt, a same-day retake is allowed. If you fail again, you must pay to reschedule. After completion, queue to collect and sign your 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 skip the retake or fail it, the test session ends, and you must reschedule. In contrast, Subjects 2 and 3 allow only five attempts each, with rescheduling permitted after ten days. If you fail the Subject 3 safe driving knowledge test, your passed road driving skills test results remain valid. The driver's license test consists of three subjects: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 covers road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge. Subject 2 is the field driving skills test. Subject 3 includes 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 the regulations (i.e., the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123).
I failed my first driving theory test last time and specifically asked the instructor if I could retake it on the same day. He said those who fail can directly register at the test office for another attempt without waiting for the next appointment. However, it's important to note that projects with two attempts must be completed on the same day. If you fail twice in a row, you'll have to reschedule the test. At the test center, I saw many people who failed immediately queuing in the retake area. The machines were readily available, and all you needed to do was register and wait for your number to be called. The difficulty of the retake questions is actually similar to the original test, so it's advisable to carry your mistake notebook for review.
As a veteran driving school instructor, I can confirm that you get a free retake opportunity immediately if you fail the Subject 1 test. The exam system automatically retains failure records. After submitting your paper and seeing the "fail" prompt, go directly to the service window at the test center to register and queue. However, proper preparation is still crucial for the retake—I've seen many students who got 20 questions wrong on their first attempt perform even worse on the retake. Test centers usually schedule retake candidates in the last batch, so I recommend using the waiting time to review questions on your phone. If you feel nervous, take deep breaths to calm yourself.
If you fail the first attempt of the written driving test (Subject 1), you can retake it once on the same day. The process is simple: After seeing the failure notice on the electronic signature pad at the end of the exam, ask the invigilator for a retake form, then bring your ID card to the test center management office to activate your retake permission. The retake covers the same scope and difficulty level, but questions are randomly selected from the question bank. Last time I retook it, I waited about 40 minutes, which was enough time to review incorrect answers. Note that if you fail the second attempt, you'll need to repay the fee and reschedule, with a mandatory 10-day waiting period.
