Can You Shift Gears Repeatedly in Subject Two?
4 Answers
Repeated gear shifting is not allowed. Shifting gears twice during Subject Two will result in a 100-point deduction. Introduction to Subject Two: Subject Two, also known as the small road test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment and is the abbreviation for the field driving skills test. Subject Two Test Items: For the C1 license, the test items include five mandatory components: reverse parking, parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, right-angle turns, and curve driving (commonly known as S-turns). In some regions, there is an additional sixth item: high-speed toll card collection. For the C2 license, the test items include four mandatory components: reverse parking, parallel parking, right-angle turns, and curve driving (commonly known as S-turns).
Repeated use of reverse gear is completely allowed during the Subject 2 driving test. From my years of experience as a driving instructor, if a student's initial positioning is inaccurate when performing maneuvers like reverse parking or parallel parking, they can certainly shift into reverse and try again. The test rules primarily focus on whether the final outcome meets the standards, such as not crossing lines and having the vehicle properly aligned, without prohibiting multiple gear shifts. However, be mindful of time limits and procedural continuity—frequent retries waste time and may lead to point deductions or even failure due to mistakes. Therefore, regular practice is key; honing your reversing skills to ensure success on the first attempt minimizes unnecessary hassle. Stay relaxed—beginners often make errors due to nervousness. Remember, safe operation comes first, and familiarity with the vehicle will naturally improve your performance. Don't underestimate these details; they directly impact your test pass rate.
I just passed the second driving test, and I had to use reverse gear twice for the reverse parking. The first time the position was off, but the examiner didn’t say anything and allowed me to readjust. I finally parked correctly and passed. It’s okay to shift into reverse multiple times during the test, but don’t take too long, or you’ll lose points for exceeding the time limit. The examiner pays more attention to whether your overall operation is steady—like starting slowly and avoiding crossing lines. I recommend beginners simulate the test beforehand and practice reverse parking in an open area to get familiar with the clutch and gear-shifting rhythm. My experience is that over-practicing the first time can backfire—reverse gear is simple, the key is to stay calm and composed. Communicate more with your instructor to learn techniques—it saves a lot of effort.
As an examination official, the Category 2 test allows candidates to repeatedly use reverse gear in maneuvers such as reverse parking. The rules clearly do not limit the number of gear shifts, but operations must be completed within the stipulated time and meet the standards. For example, if the vehicle is not parked accurately, retries are permitted, but repeated operations increase the risk of errors such as crossing lines or exceeding time limits, which may result in point deductions or failure. The purpose is to assess basic driving skills rather than prohibit reasonable adjustments. Candidates are advised to familiarize themselves with local test details in advance and focus on accuracy rather than the number of attempts. Examiners evaluate overall smoothness, and minimizing mistakes can improve the pass rate.
