Does the Written Test (Subject 1) Have Long Waiting Times?
4 Answers
It takes 3 to 7 days for processing before you can successfully apply for the Subject 1 test. Passing score for Subject 1: The total duration of the Subject 1 test is 45 minutes. The test consists of 100 questions in the form of true/false and multiple-choice questions, with a full score of 100. A score of 90 or above is required to pass. The test questions are randomly selected and combined by the computer driver's test system according to the proportion specified in the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Work Regulations". Test procedure: Follow the instructions of the staff and collect your driver training file in order in the waiting area; Carry and present your ID card for inspection by the supervising officer; Mobile phones must be turned off when entering the test area; No loud noise is allowed in the test area; Regulation textbooks are not allowed in the test area (or should be placed in your bag); After the test, keep your ID card safe and submit the file to the "Submission Window" at the front of the test room; Candidates who pass the test should sign under the guidance of the staff at the exit of the test room before leaving; Candidates who fail the test can leave the test room and wait for the notification of the retake time from the staff of their driving school.
I just passed Subject 1 last year, and the queue length really depends on the time slot. During weekend peak hours, I've personally seen the line stretching outside the driving school gate, taking at least two hours minimum. But if you go on a weekday morning, the hall is so empty you could dance square dance there. The traffic management office here is notorious for releasing slots—they're gone the second the system updates at the end of each month, with many people setting alarms to grab a spot. I recommend downloading the 12123 App to keep an eye on slot release times, and don’t sign up only after barely passing mock tests at 70 points—some people fail three times and have to queue repeatedly, which is even more frustrating. Oh, and remember to bring tissues and water before the test; once, a woman ahead of me fainted from heatstroke, delaying everything by half an hour.
The waiting time for the written driving test (Subject 1) varies by region. My aunt took the test in a small county town—she went for document verification on Tuesday afternoon and only waited 40 minutes. Meanwhile, my cousin in Shenzhen booked the Bao’an District test center and still queued for three hours despite choosing a rainy weekday. Some test centers now offer VIP lanes—pay an extra 50 yuan to skip the line—but I think arriving early is better. Make sure you have all required documents; if you reach the front and realize you forgot the medical form, you’ll have to start over. The most time-consuming part is the manual photo verification—I once saw a man with dyed red hair asked to retake his photo on the spot.
The waiting time mainly depends on three factors: test center capacity, season, and approval speed. When I took the test during July summer vacation, arriving at 8 AM already had over 200 people ahead in line. It's recommended to visit the test site one day before the exam—some new test centers have great equipment but fewer candidates. Some people prefer taking the last session, only to end up waiting two hours because the internet crashed that day. Nowadays, scores are released immediately after the test, but the signature confirmation process is painfully slow. A pro tip: wear a thin jacket—the air conditioning is always cranked up like an icebox.
