How long do I have to wait for the second attempt if I fail the first time in Subject 3?
4 Answers
If you fail the Subject 3 driving test, you need to wait at least 10 days before you can schedule a retake. The waiting period for scheduling driving license tests and retakes varies in different regions. After passing the Subject 1 test, you must wait at least 20 days before you can schedule the Subject 2 test. After passing the Subject 2 test, you need to wait 10 days before you can schedule the Subject 3 test. Below is an introduction to the driving license test process: 1. Eligibility: Applicants must be between 18 and 70 years old, with uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of at least 4.9 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart, no red-green color blindness, and those with hearing impairments must wear hearing aids. Local residents can apply directly, while non-local residents need a residence permit or temporary residence permit (i.e., a temporary stay permit) to apply. 2. Medical Examination: Bring a valid ID card for the medical examination. For non-local applicants, the vehicle management department of the public security bureau will conduct an online inquiry with the applicant's local vehicle management department to confirm that the applicant has never obtained a driving license in their hometown before they can proceed. 3. Theory Test: Study traffic regulations, apply for a driving training quota through the driving school or vehicle management office, and after approval, the applicant will be notified to take the traffic regulations test.
When I failed the driving test (Subject 3) for the first time, the driving school told me I had to wait about 10 days before scheduling a second attempt. This is actually a mandatory cooling-off period set by the vehicle management office, mainly to allow students time to reflect on their mistakes. Based on our practical experience here, the fastest you can reschedule is usually 7-10 working days. The exact timing depends on the number of local test-takers – during graduation seasons when many students are testing, it might take over two weeks. I specifically checked the booking interface on the Traffic Management 12123 APP, which clearly displays the earliest available date. My advice is to promptly discuss training arrangements with your instructor after failing, and use these 10+ days for targeted practice on the sections where you made mistakes last time.
The regulations for obtaining a driver's license vary across different regions, and the retake schedule for Subject 3 mainly depends on the arrangement of the local vehicle management office. Most cities currently enforce a 10-day waiting period, but the implementation can be flexible. I remember a student at our driving school just went through this last month—she received a text message notification for a retake on the 9th day after failing her first attempt. However, it's important to note that this period is counted in calendar days from the date of the last exam, excluding holidays. Nowadays, many test centers have online self-service booking systems, allowing candidates to check the latest available slots on the app the day after failing. It's advisable to start checking the system after about seven or eight days, as slots occasionally open up due to cancellations by others.
Based on my recent observations, the waiting period for a make-up exam for Subject 3 generally takes 10-15 days. This duration is mainly due to two factors: first, the vehicle management office needs to organize the data from the previous exam and update the system; second, it allows candidates ample time to practice. There's a real-life example to reference: last week, I accompanied a friend to her make-up exam. She failed on Sunday afternoon, and the system showed the earliest available slot was the following Friday. However, some cities now offer an expedited channel where, for an additional fee of 200 yuan, you can jump the queue and take the exam in as little as 7 days, although this policy is quite controversial.
