Has the Hill Start Been Cancelled?

[ORobert]

Hill start has been cancelled. Starting from June 1st this year, the "Hill Start and Stop" item has been removed from the Category 2 test for small automatic transmission vehicles, reducing the test items from 5 to 4. Relevant information about the driver's license test is as follows: Introduction: The driver's test is a qualification examination organized by the Vehicle Management Office of the Public Security Bureau. Only by passing the driver's test can one obtain a driver's license and legally operate motor vehicles. Content: The motor vehicle driver's test is divided into the following sections: the road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge test (also known as the "theoretical test", referred to as "Category 1"), the field driving skills test (commonly known as the "stake test", referred to as "Category 2"), and the road driving skills and safe civilized driving common sense test (commonly known as the "road test", referred to as "Category 3"). The test content and passing standards are uniformly set nationwide, with corresponding test items specified according to different types of vehicles eligible for driving.

[Logan]

I just passed my driving test recently, and the hill start was definitely not removed from Subject 2! The instructor emphasized that it's a mandatory test item—you have to stop steadily on the slope and then start again. However, my friend drives an automatic car and mentioned that many vehicles now come with hill-start assist, which holds the car for 2–3 seconds after releasing the brake, making it much easier. During the test, you still have to strictly follow the standard procedure: pull the handbrake, lift the clutch, and press the accelerator, or the examiner will deduct points. In daily driving, electronic handbrakes in automatics are the most convenient for steep slopes, while manuals rely on skill. I really miss those days of stalling and getting yelled at by the instructor—this technique is crucial to avoid rolling back and hitting the car behind.

[VonEzra]

Last week, I accompanied my cousin to practice driving, and the instructor was still teaching hill starts. Manual transmission cars require particularly smooth coordination between the clutch and throttle: slowly lift the clutch with your left foot until the car hood slightly trembles, then release the handbrake with your right hand while gently tapping the throttle with your right foot. A seasoned driver shared a little trick with me—when the tachometer needle suddenly drops, it means the clutch is in the right position. Nowadays, some new cars do come with auto-hold functions, allowing automatic parking on slopes and at red lights. However, the exam rules mandate traditional operations, and those old Santanas in the training ground without any assistive features won’t help you. In case you encounter an icy slope during heavy rain, these fundamental skills could be lifesaving.

[MacWalter]

After ten years of repairing cars, I've found that many car owners believe the auto-hold function replaces the need for hill-start techniques. In reality, mechanical handbrakes are more reliable in extreme situations: electronic parking brakes may fail if the battery is dead, and hydraulic brake line ruptures pose even greater dangers. I've seen accident videos where a stalled car on a tunnel exit slope rolled back and hit five vehicles. Driving schools now teach a dual-safety technique – starting with the handbrake first, then progressing to foot brake starts when proficient. The moment your foot leaves the brake in an automatic transmission car, the electronic system maintains hold for at most two seconds – beyond which the car will roll on steep slopes. True veteran drivers practice this technique until it becomes muscle memory.

[StHolden]

Last year when test driving cars for a replacement, I noticed models with hill start assist truly prevent rolling back when releasing the brake. But my driving instructor said this technology doesn't mean eliminating the hill start test - electronic systems only temporarily replace foot brake action. Real skills still matter in critical moments: I remember once driving a friend's old Jeep up a mountain, where the electronic system completely failed on a 30-degree muddy slope, and we eventually escaped by coordinating the handbrake and throttle. Nowadays, driving tests focus more on practical adaptability - like starting on rainy/foggy slopes requiring fog lights, or stopping to yield when meeting vehicles on narrow inclines. These scenarios are far more complex than simple hill starts.

[DeWeston]

My neighbor's kid just passed the second driving test and said the hill start has the highest failure rate. Although the test cars now have anti-stall devices, going over the 30cm line means an instant fail. Having driven a manual transmission pickup for deliveries for ten years, I've summarized some tricks: For gentle slopes, use the foot brake, keep the left foot at the biting point, and quickly move the right foot to the accelerator. For steep slopes, always use the handbrake, press the accelerator deeper before releasing the clutch. Remember to turn off ESP on rainy or snowy days to prevent skidding. For electric vehicles, be cautious—they can roll downhill in single-pedal mode, so switch to crawl mode. These are things driving schools don't teach.