Can I take the second test immediately if I fail the first attempt in the Subject 1 exam?
4 Answers
The "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" clearly stipulates that the Subject 1 exam can be taken twice on the same day. If the first attempt is failed, a second free retake is allowed. If the second attempt is also failed, the Subject 1 exam is terminated, and the candidate can only reschedule the exam after ten days. Subject 1, also known as the theoretical exam or driver's theory test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. The exam content includes driving theory basics, road safety laws and regulations, local regulations, and related knowledge. The exam is conducted on a computer with a time limit of 45 minutes. A passing score for Subject 1 is 90 points out of 100. The exam consists of 100 questions, including single-choice and true/false questions, with each question worth 1 point. If 11 questions are answered incorrectly, the system will automatically submit the exam and end the test. Subject 1 exam content: Driver's license and motor vehicle management regulations; road traffic conditions and regulations; road traffic safety violations and penalties; road traffic accident handling regulations; basic knowledge of motor vehicles; local regulations; knowledge of braking systems and safety devices for large and medium-sized passenger and freight vehicles; specialized knowledge for wheeled self-propelled machinery, trams, and trolleybuses. Subject 1 exam precautions: Candidates should pay attention to their attire; no slippers are allowed, and electronic devices and bags are prohibited in the exam room. Bring your ID card and queue to enter the waiting hall. Observe the precautions and procedures on the large screen, and store personal belongings in lockers before entering the exam room. Upon entering, the identity verification station will assign a seat. After finding your seat, begin the exam. Ensure the camera is aligned with you and follow exam discipline. If you fail the first attempt, a retake is available on the same day. If you fail again, you must pay to reschedule the exam. After the exam, queue to collect your score report and sign it. Unsigned reports are considered invalid. There is no limit to the number of times you can reschedule the Subject 1 exam. Each subject can be taken once, with one free retake if failed. If you do not take the retake or fail it again, the exam is terminated, and the applicant must reschedule. For Subject 2 and Subject 3, only five attempts are allowed, and rescheduling must be done after ten days. If the Subject 3 safety and civilized driving knowledge test is failed, the passed road driving skills test scores remain valid. There are three subjects in the driver's license exam: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 refers to the road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge exam. Subject 2 refers to the field driving skills exam. Subject 3 is divided into two parts: road driving skills and safety and civilized driving knowledge. The safety and civilized driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3, so it is commonly referred to as Subject 4. However, the official terminology (i.e., the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123) does not include the term "Subject 4."
I failed the first driving theory test last year, which was quite a blow to my confidence, but I could immediately schedule a second attempt without waiting too long. I signed up at the driving school, and they helped me book a retake the day after tomorrow—just needed to pay a retake fee of around a hundred yuan. The key is to seize the time to review, especially by practicing more on the question bank app, focusing on traffic sign questions I got wrong before. I spent a few nights memorizing the rules. Don’t let your mindset collapse—treat it as experience. In fact, passing on the second try is quite common. Remember, failing isn’t the end of the world; the system directly gives you a new slot as long as you’re ready. Don’t hesitate—take action now.
As a driving instructor who frequently trains students, I emphasize that you can indeed schedule the second test immediately after failing the first one, with no strict waiting period. You need to contact the driving school or book it online yourself. The key is not to slack off on your review—take out your error notebook and practice repeatedly, especially on common mistakes like traffic signal recognition. The cost isn’t high, just a few dozen to a hundred yuan. I also recommend simulating the test at the exam site beforehand to familiarize yourself with the environment and reduce nervousness. Don’t rush into the second test while skipping over weak points. Steady and solid preparation is the way to go, as it significantly increases the pass rate.
From a safety perspective, failing the first driving theory test and getting a second chance is a good opportunity, but don't rush into retaking it immediately. Having followed driver education for years, I recommend prioritizing filling knowledge gaps at this stage, such as speed limits and penalty clauses in traffic regulations. When reviewing, you can go through the question bank by modules, sticking to one hour daily practice. Rescheduling the test is simple - just a few taps on the mobile app. The key is not to neglect learning due to haste, as building a solid foundation for safe driving tests is essential.
