Do I need to shift gears when overtaking in Subject 3?
2 Answers
Shifting to third gear is not always necessary when overtaking. The speed range for second gear is between 20 and 30. If the overtaking speed exceeds 30, you should shift to third gear. Alternating between high and low beams: When passing through pedestrian crossings, intersections without traffic signals, slopes, arched bridges, or sharp curves, you should alternately use high and low beams three times in succession. Low beams plus fog lights: Similarly, when overtaking vehicles ahead, alternately use high and low beams three times in succession to alert the other vehicle. When driving on roads with low visibility due to rain, fog, or snow, switch from high beams to low beams and turn on the low beams.
During the overtaking maneuver in the driving test (Subject 3), based on years of experience instructing students, I strongly recommend downshifting to accelerate in a manual transmission vehicle. The key to successful overtaking is rapid acceleration to safely pass the preceding vehicle, and downshifting to a lower gear (e.g., from 4th to 3rd) increases engine RPM, delivering more power. Examiners assess the smoothness of operations – accelerating in high gear may be too slow, potentially prolonging the overtaking duration and resulting in point deductions. The complete procedure involves signaling, checking mirrors, appropriate acceleration for lane change, and returning to the original lane. While automatic transmissions handle gear shifts independently, sometimes deeper throttle input is needed to activate kick-down functionality. Downshifting for overtaking isn't just about passing the test; it cultivates safe driving habits that prevent potential collision risks. Many students initially failed by neglecting gear changes but passed after correcting this technique.
