Can I Take the Driving Test (Subject 3) with an Expired ID Card?

[KaiRose]

If your ID card has expired, you can use a temporary ID card to take the Subject 3 driving test. A temporary ID card holds the same legal validity as a regular ID card and can be used as a formal ID within its 3-month validity period. Therefore, there is no issue with using a temporary ID card for the Subject 3 test. Subject 3, which includes the Road Driving Skills Test and the Safe and Civilized Driving Knowledge Test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license examination. It is commonly referred to as the road driving skills and safe driving knowledge test. The full score is 100, with a passing score of 90. You can retake the test once on the spot. If you fail the retest, you can reschedule after 10 days. The Road Driving Skills Test in Subject 3 includes the following items: vehicle preparation, light simulation test, starting, straight-line driving, gear shifting, lane changing, pulling over, passing through intersections straight, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, crossing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting oncoming vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and nighttime driving. Subject 3 Test Notes: Starting: Close the door, fasten the seatbelt, turn on the left signal, shift to 2nd gear, honk three times, check the left rearview mirror, slowly release the clutch while accelerating, and avoid rolling back. Straight through intersections: Speed should not exceed 30 km/h or be below 20 km/h; crossing the yellow line is prohibited. Bus stops: Speed should not exceed 30 km/h or be below 20 km/h; crossing the yellow line is prohibited. Right turns at intersections: Turn on the left signal 3 seconds in advance, speed should not exceed 30 km/h or be below 20 km/h; crossing the line is prohibited. Lane changing: Turn on the left signal 3 seconds in advance, speed should not exceed 30 km/h or be below 20 km/h; crossing the lane line is prohibited. Overtaking: Turn on the left signal 3 seconds in advance, speed should not exceed 30 km/h or be below 20 km/h; crossing the lane line is prohibited. Left turns at intersections: Turn on the left signal 3 seconds in advance, speed should not exceed 30 km/h or be below 20 km/h; crossing the line is prohibited. Passing school zones: Speed should not exceed 30 km/h or be below 20 km/h; crossing the line and honking are prohibited. Straight-line driving: Shift to 5th gear after reaching 40 km/h and maintain a speed above 40 km/h; crossing the line is prohibited. Accelerating: Shift to 5th gear after reaching 40 km/h and maintain a speed above 40 km/h; crossing the line is prohibited. Making U-turns: Choose a suitable spot, turn on the right signal, move to the far-right lane, stop, turn on the left signal, shift to 2nd gear, and perform a two-forward-one-reverse U-turn without rolling back. Pulling over: Turn on the right signal 3 seconds before stopping, ensure the right wheel is no more than 30 cm from the curb, engage the parking brake, and shift to neutral. Subject 3 Scoring Criteria: The following actions will result in immediate failure: Not wearing a seatbelt as required; Blocking or turning off in-car audio/video monitoring devices; Not following the examiner's instructions; Rolling back more than 30 cm when starting; Mismatching gears and speed for an extended period, causing engine RPM to be too high or too low; Failing to shift gears twice in a row while driving; Coasting in neutral while driving; Not following traffic lights, signs, or markings; Not driving at the required speed; Driving over solid center lines or lane edge lines; Driving on lane dividers for more than 15 seconds; Changing two or more lanes consecutively; Parking in no-parking zones like crosswalks or grid areas; Not attending the test at the scheduled time. The following actions will deduct 10 points: Rolling back less than 30 cm when starting; Shifting to the wrong gear when starting or driving; Not using or incorrectly using turn signals before starting, turning, changing lanes, overtaking, or stopping; Turning the steering wheel less than 3 seconds after activating the turn signal; Stalling the engine once due to improper operation. Vehicle Preparation: Failure to walk around the vehicle counterclockwise to inspect its condition and surroundings will result in failure. Starting: The following actions will result in immediate failure: Starting with insufficient brake pressure; Starting with the door not fully closed; Starting the engine with the gearshift not in neutral; Starting without releasing the parking brake and failing to correct it promptly. The following actions will deduct 10 points: Starting without releasing the parking brake but correcting it promptly; Not releasing the ignition switch promptly after starting the engine. Gear Shifting: Failing to shift smoothly as instructed will result in failure; Mismatching speed and gear will deduct 10 points. Pulling Over: Parking with the vehicle over the right edge line or crosswalk will result in failure; Not closing the door after exiting will result in failure; Parking more than 30 cm from the right edge line or curb will deduct 10 points; Not engaging the parking brake fully will deduct 10 points; Releasing the brake pedal before fully engaging the parking brake will deduct 10 points; Not turning off the engine before exiting will deduct 5 points. Straight Through Intersections, Left Turns, Right Turns: Failing to slow down or stop to observe as required will result in failure. Passing Crosswalks, School Zones, Bus Stops: Failing to slow down as required will result in failure.

[DanielAnn]

My friend recently encountered the issue of an expired ID card when taking the third driving test. He went to the exam site excitedly, only to be stopped immediately by the staff, who said a valid ID is mandatory and an expired one is considered invalid proof. Later, he rushed to the police station to apply for a temporary ID, which took several days to process. It's advisable to check the validity of your documents at least one month before taking the driving test—don’t be lazy. Although a temporary ID can serve as an emergency solution, its validity period is short, so don’t rely on it for long-term use. Preparing for the test isn’t just about honing your skills; having all your documents in order is also a fundamental requirement. Additionally, keeping the original copy safe is crucial, as moisture or folding can easily damage it. While having a digital backup is helpful, the original is indispensable. On the day of the test, make sure to bring all necessary materials to avoid losing out on a big opportunity due to a small oversight.

[PaisleeDella]

From what I understand, an expired ID card indeed cannot be used for the Subject 3 driving test. Traffic regulations require that identity documents must be valid, otherwise the examination system will refuse to record the information. If you notice your ID is about to expire, go to the public security bureau early to get a new one. A regular renewal takes one to two weeks, while an expedited temporary ID can be obtained on the same day for urgent needs. Don't wait until the exam day, wasting your reservation slot for nothing. Develop a habit of regular checks; setting a reminder on your phone is very convenient. Test centers enforce these rules strictly, so avoid trying to use photocopies or fake IDs to bypass the system. Keeping your documents updated isn't just for exam purposes—it also makes daily travel hassle-free. Don't let this oversight cost you valuable time and the effort of rebooking.

[RoseMarie]

An expired ID card is definitely not acceptable for the third driving test. A valid ID is a basic requirement for the exam to ensure authenticity and fairness. If you are caught using an expired ID, you may be disqualified and fined. Go to the police station as soon as possible to renew it—just bring a photo and your old ID; the process is simple. An expired ID affects not just the test but also banking and transportation services. Addressing it promptly minimizes the impact.

[DelFinn]

Some people think that an expired ID card is no big deal for a few days and even try to get by with it, which is a misconception. I've seen examinees being turned away due to invalid documents, wasting their exam efforts. Real cases show that an expired ID is treated the same as an invalid one, and exam regulations are rigid and strict. Checking the validity of your ID in advance is crucial, and the process of renewing it is not complicated—just register at the public security bureau, and your new card will ensure smooth exam participation. Don't wait until the exam day to find out; although a temporary ID is possible, it comes with limitations. Ensuring clear identification is the first step to safe driving.