Can I take the driving test Part 4 directly if I fail Part 3?
4 Answers
No, you cannot take Part 4. According to the Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses, the vehicle management office needs to arrange the test according to the scheduled test site and time. If you fail Part 3, you will not be able to schedule Part 4. Part 3 of the driving test, also known as the road test, is part of the vehicle driving license evaluation. It is a general term for the road driving skills and safety knowledge test in the driver's examination. The road driving skill test content varies for different types of driving licenses. For large buses, heavy-duty trailers, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed trucks, and small automatic transmission cars for the disabled, the test includes 16 items: getting on the car, starting, driving straight, shifting gears, changing lanes, pulling over, driving straight through intersections, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, crossing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and night driving. Part 4: Also known as the theoretical test or driver's theory test, it is part of the motor vehicle driving license assessment. After the implementation of the Ministry of Public Security Order No. 123, Part 3 of the test was divided into two parts. In addition to the road test, a safety and common sense test was added, commonly known as "Part 4," which assesses "driving ethics." Precautions for Part 3: Before getting on the car for the test, walk around the car counterclockwise to check the vehicle's condition. After getting in the car, adjust the seat position and the angle of the rearview mirror, and fasten the seat belt. Only after completing these steps can the test begin. During all test items, listen to the voice prompts and do not act before the voice prompt, as the computer will not record your operation and will judge your test as non-compliant. Pay special attention to the school and bus stop zones, where there are no voice reminders. You must perform a deceleration and braking action within 30 meters, but not too early.
When I was taking the driving test, I failed the road test (Subject 3) twice before passing. Each time I failed, I had to reschedule a retest, and there was no way to skip ahead to the written test (Subject 4). The instructor explained it clearly—Subject 3 and Subject 4 are like climbing stairs, you have to take them step by step. Failing Subject 3 means your practical driving skills aren’t up to standard, and taking the theoretical test at that point would be putting the cart before the horse. Plus, the exam system is strict—you can’t book Subject 4 until your Subject 3 results are recorded. After failing, I spent every day at the driving school practicing lane changes and parallel parking, grinding for two weeks before daring to retake the test. Honestly, this setup makes sense—mastering driving skills first makes learning Subject 4’s safety knowledge more meaningful.
After years of coaching students, I've noticed that those who fail Subject 3 always rush to take Subject 4 immediately. It's just not possible. Firstly, the driving test procedure is strictly regulated - the booking channel for Subject 4 won't open until the Subject 3 results are uploaded to the traffic management system. Secondly, from a safety perspective, Subject 3 tests practical vehicle control skills, which are fundamental basics. Attempting the theory test without mastering these skills is like trying to run before learning to walk. Typically, there's a 10-day waiting period after failing before you can retake the test. I recommend using this time to focus on practicing the failed components. For example, one student who kept stalling on hill starts was assigned an extra hour of clutch control practice daily.
After working at the driving school front desk for a long time, the most common question is how to arrange things after failing the third subject test. To be clear, the system logic dictates that you cannot directly take the fourth subject test without passing the third subject retest. With nationwide network management, the appointment button for subjects not yet passed will be grayed out. You must wait at least 10 days for a retest, during which it's best not to interrupt your practice. I've seen some students slack off after failing, only to fail again at the same spot in the retest. It's better to come to the driving school every day to practice weak areas for half an hour or use a mobile app to simulate test scenarios. While the fourth subject test questions can be prepared anytime, real skills still come from practicing behind the wheel.
