Can I still take the test if I arrive late for Subject 3?
3 Answers
There is no clear regulation on the latest arrival time for the Subject 3 test. If you are only a few minutes late, the examiner may still allow you to continue with the test. If you are significantly late and have official proof, you can try to apply for the last batch of tests or a make-up test. If the application is not approved, it will be treated as a failure, and you will need to reschedule the test after 10 days. Details are as follows: Subject 3 overview: There are only 5 test attempts for Subject 3. If you fail the first attempt, you will have one free make-up test on the spot. If you still fail the make-up test, the current test session will be terminated. If you fail the fifth attempt, the results of previously passed subjects will be invalidated, and you will need to reapply for the driver's license, starting from Subject 1. Personal reasons: If you are certain that you cannot attend the test due to personal reasons, you should cancel the appointment at least one day in advance. This will not be treated as a failure, nor will it waste a test attempt. You can cancel the appointment via the Traffic Management 12123 app or the Comprehensive Traffic Safety Service Platform, or you can visit the vehicle management office if necessary. However, please note that canceling the test multiple times may affect the success rate of future appointments, so consider carefully.
Last time when I took my students for the Driving Test Part 3, we encountered a situation of being late. Honestly, being late for the test is particularly troublesome. According to the regulations, you still have a 15-minute grace period after the check-in deadline to try and make it, but if you exceed that, it's directly counted as an absence. That day, there was a young guy stuck in traffic, rushing as fast as he could but still ended up being twenty minutes late, and the examiner firmly didn't allow him to enter. The Driving Test Part 3 is scheduled strictly by appointment time, with each candidate's time slot tightly managed. My advice is to arrive at the test center an hour early and wait, rather than leaving at the last minute. If there's a traffic accident or you go to the wrong test center, it's game over. If you really can't make it in time, call your driving school instructor immediately to see if they can help coordinate, but to be honest, the chances are slim, and you’ll most likely have to reschedule the test.
Last week, my neighbor almost arrived late for his driving test (Subject 3) and was terrified. He said the test center management is quite strict - if you arrive too late, the security guards will simply block your entry. On exam day, it's best to check the route in advance, calculate travel time accurately, and leave an extra half-hour buffer. When I took the test, my instructor specifically reminded me to arrive at the designated location 40 minutes before the scheduled exam time for check-in, as staff need to verify ID cards and conduct pre-exam preparations. If you're genuinely late, don't panic - try talking nicely to the examiner to see if they're willing to make an exception. However, there's a high probability you'll be marked as absent. This doesn't count as failing, but you'll need to pay a re-examination fee and wait in line to reschedule, which is most annoying as it means waiting another month or two.
