Can I Take Subject 3 Before Subject 2 in the Driving Test?
2 Answers
Generally, the driving test follows the order specified for obtaining a motor vehicle driver's license. You can schedule both Subject 2 and Subject 3 simultaneously. Even if you fail Subject 2, you can still take Subject 3. Applicants for a motor vehicle driver's license must pass the following four subjects: Subject 1 (Road Traffic Safety Laws, Regulations, and Related Knowledge), Subject 2 (Field Driving Skills), Subject 3 (Road Driving Skills), and Subject 4 (Safe and Civilized Driving Knowledge). According to Article 39 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," after passing Subject 1, applicants can schedule Subject 2 or Subject 3 (Road Driving Skills Test). Once both Subject 2 and Subject 3 are passed, applicants can take Subject 4 (Safe and Civilized Driving Knowledge Test) on the same day. Subject 2, also known as the "Small Road Test," is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment and refers to the Field Driving Skills Test. The test items include: reversing into a parking space, parallel parking, right-angle turns, stopping and starting on a slope, and curve driving. Subject 3 includes the Road Driving Skills Test and the Safe and Civilized Driving Knowledge Test. It is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment and refers to the Road Driving Skills and Safe and Civilized Driving Knowledge Test. The content of the Road Driving Skills Test varies depending on the type of vehicle being tested. Test items include: preparing to start, starting, driving straight, changing lanes, passing intersections, pulling over, crossing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and nighttime driving. Provincial public security traffic management departments may add test items for specific vehicle types based on local conditions. The Safe and Civilized Driving Knowledge Test covers requirements for safe and civilized driving, safe driving knowledge in adverse weather and complex road conditions, emergency handling methods such as tire blowouts, and post-accident handling knowledge. Subject 4, also known as the "Theory Test" or "Driver's Theory Test," is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. The main content includes: safe and civilized driving requirements, safe driving knowledge in adverse weather and complex road conditions, emergency handling methods such as tire blowouts, and post-accident handling knowledge. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," Article 19: Driving a motor vehicle requires a legally obtained driver's license. Applicants must meet the driving license conditions set by the public security department under the State Council. After passing the test, the traffic management department of the public security authority will issue the corresponding category of driver's license. Drivers must operate vehicles according to the vehicle type specified on their license and carry their license while driving. Therefore, it is clear that both driving without a license and driving a vehicle type not covered by the license are illegal. According to the first provision of the reply from the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council on the interpretation and application of the "Road Traffic Safety Law" and its implementing regulations: Driving a vehicle type not covered by the license is considered unlicensed driving in nature. For penalties, based on the principle of proportionality, it can be treated as driving without a license but with a lighter penalty. Therefore, both unlicensed driving and driving a vehicle type not covered by the license are subject to Article 99, Paragraph 1 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law": Driving without a license, driving with a revoked license, or driving with a suspended license will result in a fine imposed by the public security traffic management department and may also include detention for up to 15 days.
Oh, I looked into this when I was getting my driver's license. The order of the driving test is strictly regulated—you have to follow the steps one by one, and you can't skip Subject 2 to directly take Subject 3. Subject 2 mainly involves field exercises, like reverse parking and hill starts, which test your basic driving control skills. Subject 3, on the other hand, is about driving on real roads—it would be too dangerous to take the road test without mastering the foundational skills. Traffic regulations are set up this way for safety, to prevent accidents caused by inexperienced drivers. My instructor often said that passing Subject 2 means you truly have the basics, and the system also enforces that you must register in order. So, there’s no shortcut—you’ll have to take the tests step by step, from Subject 1 to Subject 2 and then Subject 3.
