Can the Subject Four Exam Be Scheduled in a Different Location?
5 Answers
Subject Four can be taken in a different location. Here are the relevant details: Application Location: You can directly apply to change the exam location at the vehicle management office in your current place of residence, without needing to return to the original exam location. The exam location can be changed once. Application Process: Mainland residents can directly apply for a change of exam location with their resident ID card, while residents of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan can use their residence permits. For other individuals and circumstances, the required identification documents must comply with the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses." Exam Process: After changing the exam location, the applicant can directly schedule the remaining exams at their current place of residence, and previously passed exam subjects remain valid. Once all subjects are passed, the driver's license can be obtained directly at the current exam location.
I've helped my neighbor's kid with this issue before. It is indeed possible to schedule the Subject 4 exam in a different location, but there are some twists and turns to watch out for. When you operate on the Traffic Management 12123 APP, clicking on 'Exam Appointment' will show you a list of test centers across the province, with no restrictions based on household registration. However, the prerequisite is that you must have your Subject 3 score sheet in hand, and your file must still be locked at the original DMV where you registered. For example, my neighbor took Subject 3 in Xiamen and then returned to their hometown in Quanzhou to take Subject 4 directly there. A special reminder: the score sheet is valid for three years—make sure it doesn’t expire. If you take the exam in a different location, you’ll need to redo the medical checkup and photo, so remember to bring your ID card and the document folder given by your original driving school. When signing after the exam, double-check the transfer address for your file to avoid having your license sent to the wrong city.
I often have my students take the Subject 4 test in the city where they work—it's much more convenient than going back to their hometown. Just book a nearby test center through the 12123 APP, and the system will automatically link your previous three test scores. The key point is to ensure your file is complete. If the driving school you originally registered with has closed down, you'll need to retrieve your records from the original DMV. Last week, a student who passed Subject 3 in Guangzhou directly booked Subject 4 in Dongguan. But be careful not to believe online claims about paying to change test centers—those are just scams by scalpers. Remember to choose a test center with on-demand testing services when booking, so you don’t have to wait in line. Just bring your ID and paper test scores, and after a 30-minute on-site review, you can enter the test room.
You can take the test in a different location, and the process is simple with three steps: Open the 12123 APP → Schedule Exam → Choose a test site in your residential area. But don’t overlook the key point: make sure your file status is normal at the DMV. Just last week, a friend completed the third subject test in Hangzhou and then took the fourth subject test in Ningbo while visiting family. A reminder for retakers: cross-city exams require paying the test fee again, so remember to transfer the money in advance. It’s advisable to choose a test center with evening sessions, so you won’t miss work after office hours. After passing, your file will automatically transfer back to the issuing location, and your driver’s license will be mailed to your registered address.
I personally experienced taking the Subject 4 exam across cities: transferring from Suzhou to Shanghai for the test. At that time, I booked the Jiading test center in Shanghai through the 12123 app, and the system automatically showed that my Subject 3 results were valid. Note that you must bring the original paper score report—electronic copies stored on your phone are not accepted. Book the test center at least three days in advance, as the review process takes one more working day compared to local exams. Here’s a little-known fact after the exam: when signing the score report, your signature must match the handwriting from your Subject 1 exam, otherwise, you’ll need to undergo re-verification. My advice is not to leave immediately after the exam—check the transfer status of your records on-site. Last time, I encountered a system delay and had to wait two extra hours before it showed that the archiving was successful.
