How Early Should I Schedule Subject 4?
3 Answers
Subject 4 can be scheduled after passing Subject 3. The Subject 4 theory test, also known as the driver's theory test, is part of the assessment for obtaining a motor vehicle driver's license. After the implementation of the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123, Subject 3 was divided into two parts: the road test and the safe and civilized driving test, commonly referred to as "Subject 4," which assesses "driving ethics." Since this test is conducted after Subject 3, it is commonly called the Subject 4 test. Subject 4 Test Content: 1. Depending on the type of driver's license being tested, 50 questions are randomly selected from the corresponding Subject 4 question bank at a set ratio. For car licenses, questions are drawn from a pool of 1,240, while for large vehicle licenses, questions are drawn from 1,235. Each question is worth 2 points. 2. The test duration is 45 minutes. If 12 points (6 questions) are answered incorrectly during the test, the session will be terminated. 3. The test includes true/false questions (Questions 1-22), single-choice questions (Questions 23-45), and multiple-choice questions (Questions 46-50). 4. The test questions include image-based questions, scenario recognition questions, and text-based questions.
I remember when I took the Subject 4 test, I had to book at least a week in advance to be safe. My driving school instructor said the test center had limited slots, opening up spots for the next week every Monday, and they were in high demand. I waited a few days before securing a weekend slot, and even then, it was almost full. My advice is to check the dates on the traffic service platform right after passing Subject 3—it’s easy to book via the mobile app, but slots fill up fast. Also, keep in mind regional differences: smaller cities might allow booking just 3-5 days ahead, while big cities like Beijing or Shanghai require early reservations. Bring your ID documents, keep studying, and use the days after booking to brush up on theory questions.
I usually help students schedule their Subject 4 test 7 days in advance. The exam center updates available slots every Wednesday, and failing to book promptly may result in missing preferred time slots. If slots are full, you'll have to wait for the next round, which causes delays. It's best to ask the driving school assistant to help with system login to avoid input errors. Don't wait until the last few days of the popular period when it's overcrowded—choose weekdays or mornings for higher pass rates. Review materials ahead of time instead of cramming last minute. If safety and civics knowledge isn't solid, failing means rescheduling, wasting time and effort, and delaying license acquisition.
