How long can the clutch be pressed in Subject 3 before points are deducted?
2 Answers
There is a certain time limit for pressing the clutch in Subject 3. When the clutch is fully pressed, it should not exceed 5 seconds. When the clutch is in a semi-engaged state, it should not exceed 15 seconds. The time spent pressing the clutch when stopping the vehicle is not counted. If you feel the clutch has been pressed for too long, you can press it fully and then slowly release it to the semi-engaged state, which will reset the timing system. In Subject 3, the clutch should be pressed quickly and released slowly, especially when starting in 1st or 2nd gear. The clutch should be released gradually to avoid stalling due to improper engagement. However, the throttle and clutch should not be pressed simultaneously. When shifting gears, fully release the throttle before immediately pressing the clutch pedal. The gear shift action can be slightly slower, then gradually release the clutch. After fully releasing the clutch, lightly press the throttle to accelerate. When shifting gears, first press the brake to decelerate, then press the clutch to shift. For stopping, you can directly press the clutch and brake. During the roadside parking test in Subject 3, if you are not in the rightmost lane, it is recommended to brake first and move to the right before pressing the clutch.
When I was taking the driving test for Subject 3, the instructor kept nagging about the clutch. If you didn't release the clutch within 10 seconds after starting, the system would consider it as stalling, resulting in a full 100-point deduction. Even worse, keeping the clutch pressed for over 30 seconds while driving would trigger a system detection, costing 10 points each time. The most challenging part was the hill start—failing to start successfully within 30 seconds meant an immediate failure. Once during the test, I saw a fellow examinee coasting with the clutch pressed at a red light for over 15 seconds and got 10 points deducted on the spot. Later, I developed a habit: releasing the clutch within three seconds after starting, shifting to neutral at red lights, and counting '123' silently before attempting a hill start.