How Long After Subject Three Can You Take Subject Four?
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. For example, for a Class C license: After passing the Subject Three exam, you can take Subject Four on the same afternoon, within 9 days without an appointment, or after 10 days with an appointment. Same Afternoon Direct Exam: Since Subject Four is the theoretical part of Subject Three, most cities schedule both Subject Three and Subject Four together when making appointments. Therefore, on the same afternoon after passing Subject Three, you can directly go to the Subject Four exam site to take the test. 9-Day No-Appointment Exam: With the upgrade of driving test services, some cities have introduced a new model allowing no-appointment exams within 9 days. Candidates who pass Subject Three can take Subject Four within 9 days by presenting their ID at the exam site. Exam staff will group candidates into no-appointment and appointment groups for easier management. Appointment After 10 Days: The success of a Subject Four appointment depends on the current number of candidates, priority levels, and temporary arrangements at the exam site. Candidates closer to their 3-year validity period have higher priority and are more likely to secure an appointment. Unexpected events (e.g., pandemics) may also affect appointment success rates. Subject Four, also known as the theoretical driving test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. It covers safe and civilized driving requirements, safe driving knowledge in adverse weather and complex road conditions, emergency handling methods (e.g., tire blowouts), and post-accident procedures. Subject Four Exam Notes: Exam Duration: 45 minutes. Number of Questions: 50 questions (2 points each), proportionally selected from the Subject Four question bank based on the license type. Question Types: Single-choice (including true/false), multiple-choice, and questions with animations, images, scenario recognition, or text descriptions. Retake Notes: Failing Subject Four only requires retaking Subject Four, arranged by the driving school. There are no limits on retakes, and no fees are charged for retakes. Subject Four Exam Tips: Focus on Error-Prone Areas: Identify the reasons for mistakes. For marked questions, avoid memorizing answers blindly. Instead, review regulations, textbooks, or references to understand and correct errors. Categorize Questions: Refer to the question bank analysis to group similar questions. Many questions in the bank are similar and easily confused, so categorizing them (e.g., pedestrian-related traffic signs) helps avoid mistakes. Memory Techniques: Many questions involve numbers. Summarizing these numbers can aid memorization. The driving test consists of three subjects: Subject One (traffic laws and regulations), Subject Two (field driving skills), and Subject Three (road driving skills and safe driving knowledge). Subject Four is the colloquial term for the safe driving knowledge test under Subject Three, not a separate subject. The safe driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject Three.
I got my driver's license last year, and after passing the third subject test, I waited about two weeks before scheduling the fourth subject test. Actually, according to regulations, you can book the fourth subject test the day after passing the third subject test, but it depends on the local DMV's exam schedule. In my area, theory tests are only available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I took my road test on a Tuesday and immediately scheduled the theory test for the following Thursday. I recommend checking the nearest available slots in the 12123 traffic management app right after passing the third subject test. If it's fully booked, you might have to wait another week. Also, make sure to study the latest version of the theory test bank. My roommate delayed for three months and found out the question bank had been updated, only passing on the retake.
In terms of the exam process, you can schedule the Subject 4 test on the same day after passing the Subject 3 road test. However, in practice, it depends on the number of exam slots released by the DMV. In some cases, you can take it within 3-5 days, while in crowded areas, waiting half a month is normal. When I worked as an assistant at the driving school, I often reminded students: Don’t slack off after passing Subject 3—keep practicing test questions. Last week, a student took Subject 4 after a 20-day gap and missed all the new questions about electric vehicle regulations. Note that the three-year validity period of your scores starts from Subject 1, but it’s safest to schedule Subject 4 as soon as possible after passing Subject 3.
