Can You Look at the Gear Shift During Subject Two Exam?

[DiJayce]

No, during the Subject Two exam, if you look down at the gear shift while the vehicle is in motion or fail to engage the gear twice consecutively, you will be penalized with a deduction of 100 points. Below is relevant information: Exam Content: Subject Two is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment, commonly referred to as the field driving skills test. The exam includes five mandatory items: reversing into a parking space, parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, turning at a right angle, and driving through curves. Exam Items: The test items consist of pole parking, stopping and starting on a slope, parallel parking, crossing a single-plank bridge, driving through curves, turning at a right angle, passing through a width-restricted gate, navigating continuous obstacles, driving on undulating roads, making a U-turn on a narrow road, as well as simulating highway driving, continuous sharp turns on mountain roads, tunnels, rainy conditions, slippery roads, and emergency handling.

[Vincent]

I've been teaching driving for over a decade, and during the Subject 2 test, looking down at the gearshift is absolutely not allowed. The exam rules clearly require your gaze to remain forward at all times; a single glance downward will result in point deductions by the examiner, and in severe cases, an immediate fail. This is because maneuvers like reverse parking and parallel parking in Subject 2 prioritize safety first—distractions can easily lead to accidents. I advise students to practice muscle memory during training, learning to locate gears by feel rather than sight, and to avoid developing the habit of looking down. For example, when practicing reversing, try closing your eyes to sense the position or ask your instructor to correct your posture. Subject 2 also includes hill starts and 90-degree turns, which demand full concentration—glancing at the gearshift wastes time and disrupts execution. Ultimately, the test is the foundation for developing good driving habits; following the rules helps prevent future issues.

[FelixLee]

I just passed my Subject 2 test a month ago, and the key lesson is to absolutely avoid looking at the gear shift. On the exam day, the examiner repeatedly emphasized keeping your eyes on the road, as looking down could be caught on camera and result in point deductions. I was so nervous my palms were sweating, but I resisted the urge to look and relied on memorizing the gear positions to shift successfully. During practice, my instructor taught me to familiarize myself with the gears by touch, since the vehicle layout might slightly differ during the actual test. For instance, in the S-curve section, speed control is crucial, and a momentary glance down could cause you to miss the turning point. I recommend that new drivers preparing for Subject 2 simulate exam conditions early, practice blind operations with a partner, and gradually get used to it. Other reminders, like checking seat belts and rearview mirror positions, are similar—always keep your focus ahead.

[LaHarper]

Having driven for over twenty years, I remember the strictness of Subject Two in the early days—absolutely no peeking at the gearshift. The core of safe driving is keeping your eyes on the road; looking down distracts you and leads to dangerous maneuvers. Examiners would deduct points for this, especially during the reverse parking test, where glancing at the gearshift could cause the car to cross the line. I advise beginners to focus on familiarizing themselves with the gear positions—practice a dozen times to operate by feel. The same applies to daily driving: gear changes should be quick and smooth. During training, rely on engine sounds or the tachometer to reduce visual dependency. In other Subject Two tasks like hill starts, looking down may impair judgment and affect overall performance. Developing good habits significantly enhances safety.