Do I Need to Take All Three Routes for Subject 3?
2 Answers
There are usually three or four routes in the Subject 3 test site, and each candidate only needs to complete three kilometers, which means one route. The specific test route cannot be known before the exam. For safety reasons, it is generally necessary to prepare for all routes in advance. If candidates are not very confident in themselves, it is highly recommended to take a mock test. There are usually many driving schools near the test site, and these schools are already very familiar with the test routes. You can pay a certain fee to have the coach run through the routes several times. This is the best method. Compulsory Items for Subject 3: Vehicle preparation, starting, driving straight, changing lanes, passing intersections, and pulling over. Among these, large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, and large trucks should also be tested under nighttime or low-visibility conditions; other vehicle types should have no less than 20% of candidates tested under nighttime or low-visibility conditions. Subject 3 Test Tips: During the test, if you are unsure whether braking is required at a certain point, just brake without hesitation. There is no limit to the number of times you can brake during the test, and braking more often can effectively avoid point deductions. After the voice announcement, you should react in advance. It is best to keep a distance of more than 30 meters from the vehicle in front. This is because the test vehicle ahead might suddenly stall or take the wrong route, so maintaining some distance is the safest approach.
For the driving test (Subject 3), you usually don't need to practice all three routes—only one randomly assigned route will be tested. That's how it was for me; the route was decided by draw, so there's no need to worry about having to master all of them. However, it's recommended to practice all routes during preparation because each one has different road conditions—some have more curves, dense intersections, or complex traffic lights. Practicing all routes in advance helps you stay more relaxed during the test, as the examiner evaluates your basic driving skills, not your memory of the routes. If practice time is limited, focus on mastering one route first, then gradually expand to others. By practicing all three routes, I gained a lot of confidence and passed easily on my first attempt! Don’t forget to review traffic rules regularly and adjust your mindset—those are key to passing Subject 3.
