Can I Take Subject 4 If I Failed Subject 3?

[DelAshley]

No, you cannot take the Safety and Civilized Driving Theory Test (Subject 4) without the transcript of Subject 3, so you must first pass the Subject 3 road test. Here is the relevant introduction to Subject 4: 1. Subject 4, also known as the Subject 4 theory test or driver theory test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. 2. After the implementation of the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123, the Subject 3 test was divided into two parts: in addition to the road test, a safety and civilized driving test was added, commonly referred to as "Subject 4," which assesses "driving ethics." Since this test is conducted after Subject 3, it is commonly called the Subject 4 test. However, there is no official term "Subject 4" in the actual regulations.

[LeFelix]

As a long-time driving school student, I often chat with fellow learners at the driving school. Regarding the question of whether you can take the subject 4 test after failing subject 3, let me make it clear: you can't take it directly. The exam sequence is fixed – you must first pass the road test in subject 3 before you can register for the theoretical test in subject 4. If you fail subject 3, you need to reschedule and retake it; only after passing are you eligible for subject 4. I remember a friend who, after failing subject 3, started preparing for subject 4 by studying the questions, but the instructor told her she had to retake and pass subject 3 first. The entire process is designed to ensure you have the basic safety skills before moving on to new knowledge. For those who didn't pass, don't lose heart. Practice the road test a few more times, get familiar with the details of road conditions, and you'll surely pass. Then, focus on reviewing regulations and safety knowledge for subject 4, saving both time and effort.

[DelDiana]

As someone who just failed the third driving test (Subject 3), I felt quite disappointed and wondered if I could directly take the fourth test (Subject 4). The fact is: no, you must pass Subject 3 first before registering for Subject 4. You get the result of Subject 3 immediately after the test, and if you fail, you have to queue up again for a retake right away. I once tried to apply at the driving school to skip to Subject 4, but the staff said the system was locked, and the policy didn’t allow it. Later, I focused on improving my weaknesses, especially parking and turning, and passed Subject 3 a few weeks later. After that, preparing for Subject 4 was much easier—the theoretical questions were similar to Subject 1 but included safety scenario analysis. My advice to those who failed is to adjust your mindset, don’t rush to push through all at once, and take it step by step to pass steadily.

[RachelMarie]

Driving schools often receive inquiries like whether candidates can skip to Subject 4 after failing Subject 3. Here's the straightforward answer: No. The exam sequence is strictly regulated—you must pass Subject 3 to qualify for Subject 4. This structure ensures progressive learning, where practical skills are mastered before reinforcing safety knowledge. If you fail Subject 3, you'll need to retrain, rebook, and pass it before registering for Subject 4. Those who didn't pass should promptly return to practice operational skills (e.g., urban road simulations) to improve proficiency. While preparing for Subject 4 in parallel is allowed, don’t expect to bypass any required tests.