Does failing the subject one exam count towards the 3-year validity period?
4 Answers
There is no time limit for subject one. Here is an introduction to the relevant content of subject one: 1. Not taken or failed: Even if you do not take subject one or fail subject one and do not reschedule the exam, there is no concept of expiration. This is because the vehicle management office will only issue a learning driving certificate after passing the subject one exam. The learning driving certificate has a three-year validity period. If the remaining subjects are not completed within the validity period, the passed subject exams will be invalidated. 2. Contract provisions: When registering, the contract signed with the driving school may stipulate a training period. If the stipulated time is exceeded and you wish to take the exam again, you will need to pay a delay fee to continue training and exams. There may even be clauses stating that if the training and exams are not completed within the stipulated time due to the student's own reasons, the driving school can unilaterally terminate the contract.
I experienced this when I first started learning to drive—failing the subject one test was really discouraging. However, the 3-year validity period actually starts counting from the day you first pass subject one. Within these three years, you must complete all other subject exams. If you haven’t passed subject one, this timeframe hasn’t even begun because you haven’t officially entered the exam process. This is how the driving test rules are set, aiming to give learners a buffer period. I felt reassured after my coach explained it—retaking it a few times is no issue. My advice is to quickly review and retake subject one, practice more mock tests to get the hang of it, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The validity period only starts ticking after you pass, so then you’ll need to focus on practicing the other subjects to avoid expiration.
My name is Zhang Wei. As an enthusiast of driving tests, I've researched extensively. Failing the subject one test does not count within the 3-year validity period, because the validity period is triggered only upon the first successful pass of subject one. This means if you fail subject one, you can retake it countless times without starting the countdown. The three-year requirement for subjects two, three, and four only begins after you pass subject one for the first time. This rule is well-designed to prevent beginners from losing opportunities due to minor mistakes. I've seen some students retake subject one five or six times and eventually obtain their license successfully. My advice is to focus on improving your theoretical knowledge now, without worrying about the time limit. Combining official textbooks or APP exercises during your review will be more efficient.
Failing the subject one test does not affect the validity period. The validity period only starts counting from the first time you pass subject one. If you don't pass, it doesn't count as starting. You can retake subject one as many times as needed. After passing, plan your time to complete the other subject tests, and don't let it expire. Remember, the validity period rules are strict, so don't be misled.
