Do I need to tap the brake when going straight at an intersection in Subject 3?
3 Answers
When going straight at an intersection in Subject 3, you need to tap the brake. You can start tapping the brake before the diamond pattern, approximately 8-10 meters before the zebra crossing. Below are specific details about Subject 3: 1. Introduction: The road safety driving test, commonly referred to as Subject 3, is part of the motor vehicle driver's examination, focusing on road driving skills and safety awareness. The test content varies depending on the type of vehicle license. 2. Content: The test includes preparation before starting, simulated lighting test, starting, driving straight, gear shifting operations, changing lanes, parking by the roadside, going straight through intersections, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, passing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting oncoming vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and driving at night.
I remember when taking the driving test for Subject 3, the instructor repeatedly emphasized the braking issue when going straight through intersections. Whether there are traffic lights or pedestrians at the intersection, your right foot should hover over the brake pedal. Pay special attention to such details during the test—the system judges whether your action is correct based on whether the brake lights are on. But honestly, in actual driving, you can't just rely on brake lights. Once at a suburban intersection, I encountered an e-bike suddenly darting out, and I managed to avoid it by braking early and slowing down to 20 km/h. The key is to develop the habit of anticipation—release the accelerator and prepare to brake 50 meters before the intersection, and only proceed at a steady speed after confirming it's absolutely safe. By the way, test rules may vary by region, so it's best to refer to the latest local test syllabus.
The key to the 'tap brake' technique in the driving test is to ensure the system recognizes your operation. At the training ground, we require: you must tap the brake when driving straight through a crosswalk, regardless of whether there are vehicles or not. However, real-road situations are much more complex. I once experienced a rear-end collision when I tapped the brake too abruptly at a green light intersection. Therefore, the lesson is: during the test, strictly follow the instructions; in actual driving, adjust based on speed and following distance. In the city, tapping the brake at intersections is safer, while on highways, a light brake touch is sufficient when passing through open intersections. Remember, tapping the brake is not slamming it—just a gentle press to activate the brake lights, with the focus being to demonstrate your defensive driving awareness to the system or examiner.
