How long can the clutch be pressed in Subject 3 before points are deducted?
2 Answers
10 seconds, and in some provinces and cities, it is 5 seconds. The following are precautions for the Subject 3 exam: Not pressing the clutch all the way down: If the clutch is not pressed all the way down, you will hear a grating sound when shifting gears, which is very harsh and obvious. Points will be deducted if this happens during the exam, and if you drive like this in the future, it will also damage the vehicle. No skipping gears when upshifting: Skipping gears when upshifting will definitely result in a mismatch between speed and gear, known as "low speed in high gear." The vehicle will feel severe body shaking, and in serious cases, it may stall. Although students know that skipping gears when upshifting is not allowed, they might shift into the wrong gear unintentionally during driving, such as shifting from 1st to 2nd gear but ending up in 1st to 4th gear. Therefore, extra attention is needed when upshifting. No prolonged driving in low gears: The exam has restrictions on the driving distance for 1st and 2nd gears. The single distance for 1st gear should not exceed 50 meters, and for 2nd gear, it should not exceed 100 meters. If shifting is slow in low gears, it is easy to exceed the distance and fail the exam, not to mention using 1st or 2nd gear for long-distance driving.
During the driving license test (Subject 3), keeping the clutch pedal depressed for more than 2-3 seconds may result in point deductions, especially when gear shifting isn't smooth. Examiners evaluate the fluidity of movements - prolonged clutch engagement causing vehicle shuddering, jerking, or even stalling will trigger penalties. Having coached many students, I've noticed novices often hesitate or panic, leading to excessive clutch usage that increases stalling risks. During practice, time your gear shifts to ensure quick, natural clutch engagement and release. Developing this habit not only ensures test success but also prevents unnecessary troubles on the road, as smooth gear transitions directly impact driving safety.
