Can You Drive in Second Gear During Subject Three?
3 Answers
You can drive in second gear during Subject Three. Here are the specific details: 1. Reason: There are two segments of straight-line driving. One segment occurs after completing the gear shifting (acceleration and deceleration), during which you must drive in third gear. Except for gear shifting and turning, you must use third gear in all other situations. This is because the total distance driven in first and second gears combined during Subject Three cannot exceed 500 meters. Specifically, you cannot drive continuously in first gear for more than 100 meters or in second gear for more than 200 meters. Therefore, third gear is necessary, maintaining a speed of around 35 km/h. However, during straight-line driving, you must accelerate to 50 km/h for at least two seconds. After completing the gear shifting segment, there are no special requirements for the subsequent straight-line driving segment. 2. Subject Three Test Content: Preparation before starting, simulated lighting test, starting, straight-line driving, gear shifting operation, lane changing, pulling over, driving straight through intersections, left turns at intersections, right turns at intersections, crossing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting oncoming vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and nighttime driving.
When preparing for my driving test, I specifically studied the gear rules for Subject 3. Using second gear is perfectly acceptable, especially in low-speed situations like starting, turning, or encountering traffic congestion. However, you can't lazily stick to second gear the entire time. The examiner will be watching to see if you can shift gears promptly—once your speed increases, you should shift up to third gear or higher. Otherwise, engine roaring or jerking could lead to point deductions or even failure. I remember during my mock test, I lingered too long in second gear after a turn, and my coach pointed out that it made my operation seem clumsy. Later, I practiced matching gears with speed until it became second nature, and the actual test went much smoother. The key to gear selection lies in flexibly responding to road conditions: use second gear when slow speeds ensure stability, and don’t hesitate to upshift when faster speeds are needed—this ensures both safety and fuel efficiency. With enough practice on shifting timing, you’ll breeze through the test without fear.
Last time I took the driving test for Subject 3, I actually used second gear quite a few times, and it really helped. When you're moving slowly after starting or cruising around residential areas, second gear keeps the speed around 20 km/h—not too fast nor so slow that the engine stalls. The examiner didn’t complain and even praised me for being steady. But don’t get careless; once the speed exceeds 30 km/h, I immediately shift up to avoid seeming like I don’t know the rules. My personal experience is that gear selection isn’t rigid during the test—the key is demonstrating your understanding of the vehicle’s characteristics. Second gear, as a low gear, is great for beginners to get familiar with control, but smooth shifting is what truly shows skill. Don’t stress too much; practicing in similar scenarios during normal training will make it clear. In critical moments, second gear can be a lifesaver.
