Does shifting gears in Subject 2 count as stopping?
3 Answers
Stopping for more than 2 seconds is considered an intermediate stop. Here are the relevant details: For reversing into the garage: To avoid intermediate stops or stalling, the most important thing is to control the clutch properly. When shifting gears, you must control the clutch and ensure it is fully depressed. If the clutch is not fully depressed, it is easy to stall. Methods to avoid intermediate stops are as follows: During the test, when passing over uneven ground or the seams between cement blocks in the test area, slightly increase the speed. When turning the steering wheel to the full lock, release the clutch a bit to prevent an intermediate stop; when returning the steering wheel, slightly press the clutch to control the speed.
As a driving instructor who has guided hundreds of students through the Subject 2 test, shifting gears does not count as parking. Parking in the exam specifically refers to the operation of bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, such as coming to a full halt at the designated spot during the slope parking test to be considered correctly executed. Shifting gears is merely the process of operating the clutch to change gears, which may occur while the vehicle is moving at low speed or briefly pausing, but it is not in itself a parking action. The exam grading focuses on whether you properly park the car at required points, like at the end of parallel parking, while gear shifting is part of normal driving skills and won’t lead to point deductions or failure. Students should pay more attention to parking precision and smooth gear shifting during practice to pass smoothly. Remember, frequent practice makes perfect for gear shifting—don’t worry about it affecting your test results.
I also struggled with this issue before taking the Subject 2 test. Through experience, I learned that shifting gears doesn't count as stopping. Stopping refers to the vehicle coming to a complete halt, such as at the endpoint of test items like reverse parking where you must stop firmly. Shifting gears, on the other hand, is something you do frequently during operations, like when controlling speed or adjusting the vehicle's position—it's just a routine action that won't trigger a stop judgment. My coach taught me to only pay attention to stopping requirements at specific points, and to shift gears normally at other times. After the test, I realized that shifting gears is a basic skill, and practicing it smoothly can actually earn you extra points. Don't let this small doubt distract you.
