How Long After Subject 3 Can You Take Subject 4?
3 Answers
According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," the time varies depending on the type of license. Taking a Class C license as an example: After passing the Subject 3 test, you can take Subject 4 directly in the afternoon of the same day, without an appointment within 9 days, or by making an appointment after 10 days. Direct exam in the afternoon of the same day: Since Subject 4 is the theoretical part of Subject 3, most cities schedule both Subject 3 and Subject 4 together when making the appointment. Therefore, on the afternoon of the day you pass Subject 3, you can go directly to the Subject 4 test center to take the exam. No appointment needed within 9 days: With the upgrade of driving test services, some cities have introduced a new model where no appointment is needed within 9 days. Candidates who pass Subject 3 can take the Subject 4 exam within 9 days by presenting their ID card at the test center. The test staff will group the candidates into two categories: those without an appointment in one group and those with an appointment in another, facilitating the management of examinees by the test center. Appointment after 10 days: The success of a Subject 4 appointment depends on the current number of examinees, the priority of the candidate, and temporary arrangements at the test center. Candidates closer to the 3-year validity period have higher priority and are more likely to secure an appointment. Additionally, unforeseen events (such as a pandemic) that lead to exam suspensions can also affect the success rate of appointments. Subject 4, also known as the Subject 4 theory test or driver theory test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. It includes requirements for safe and civilized driving operations, knowledge of safe driving under adverse weather and complex road conditions, handling emergencies like tire blowouts, and post-accident procedures. Subject 4 Exam Notes: Exam duration: 45 minutes. Number of questions: 50 questions are selected proportionally from the corresponding Subject 4 question bank based on the type of license being tested, with each question worth 2 points. Question types: The exam includes single-choice questions (including true/false questions) and multiple-choice questions. The questions may involve animations, images, scenario recognition, or text descriptions. Retake notes: If you fail Subject 4, you only need to retake Subject 4. The driving school will schedule the retake, with no limit on the number of retakes. You can retake until you pass, and no retake fees are required for Subject 4. Subject 4 Exam Tips: Strengthen weak areas and identify the reasons for mistakes. For marked questions, don’t just memorize the correct answer. Refer to regulations, textbooks, or reference books to understand and digest the reasons for errors. Categorize and summarize questions. Refer to the question bank analysis for classification and identify similar questions. Many questions in the bank are similar and easily confused, so they should be analyzed collectively. For example, traffic signs for walking, pedestrian crossings, and pedestrian warnings are very similar and easily mixed up. Grouping them during study helps avoid mistakes. Find memory techniques: Many questions in the bank involve numbers. Summarizing these numbers can make memorization easier. The driving test consists of 3 subjects: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 3 is divided into two parts. Subject 4 is the colloquial term for the Subject 3 Safe and Civilized Driving Knowledge Test and is not a separate subject. Subject 1 refers to the road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge test. Subject 2 refers to the field driving skills test. Subject 3 refers to the road driving skills and safe and civilized driving knowledge test. The safe and civilized driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3.
Right after passing the third driving test, I was over the moon, thinking I was finally close to getting my driver's license. When I asked my instructor when I could take the fourth test, he said that after passing the third test, it usually takes 3 to 5 days for the results to be confirmed before you can schedule the fourth test, but policies vary by location—I took mine in Beijing after 4 days, while in some smaller cities, it might be arranged on the same day. I used a mobile app to practice questions in advance, focusing on safe and civilized driving knowledge, such as yielding to pedestrians and emergency handling—these practical aspects aren’t something you can pass just by rote memorization. On the exam day, don’t panic; arrive early to familiarize yourself with the process. Once you pass, the license is handed to you immediately, and that sense of achievement is absolutely worth it. Throughout the process, I learned one thing: managing study time wisely is crucial—don’t cram at the last minute, as it affects your performance.
As a driving instructor with years of experience teaching students, I must say the time between passing Subject 3 and taking Subject 4 varies by individual, but it's typically completed within 3 to 7 days. After passing Subject 3, the system needs to confirm the results—don't rush to take Subject 4 immediately. I advise students to keep practicing with the question bank during this time to maintain their momentum. The key is understanding the practical application of traffic rules rather than mechanically answering questions. Regional differences are significant—in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, appointment queues may be longer, while in smaller towns, you might finish the test and get your license on the same day. A common mistake my students make is underestimating the depth of the questions. In reality, Subject 4 tests safe driving awareness, so reviewing accident case videos during preparation is more beneficial. Remember to check exam notifications promptly to avoid missing the optimal timing.
