How Long Does the Driving Test Subject 2 Take to Complete?

[DiBentley]

The driving test Subject 2 does not take several hours to complete. For most regions that only test 5 items, Subject 2 typically takes about 10 minutes from start to finish. For regions testing 9 items, the duration of Subject 2 is relatively longer. Below is an introduction to the test items for Subject 2: In some areas, Subject 2 only includes five items: reversing into a parking space, parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, right-angle turns, and curve driving. The newly added test items include simulated tunnel driving, simulated highway toll card collection, narrow road U-turns, and passing through width-restricted gates. Currently, regions such as Shanghai, Guizhou, and Hangzhou have implemented the new Subject 2 regulations, increasing the test items from the original 5 to 9.

[VanDylan]

I just finished my Subject 2 driving test last week, and the whole process took almost three hours. First, I had to queue up at the test center to check in with my ID card, and I sat around for over an hour before my number was called. The actual test was pretty quick—from fastening the seatbelt to completing all five test items, it took just over ten minutes. I passed the hill start and reverse parking on the first try. The most annoying part was waiting to sign the score sheet after the test; the system took another twenty minutes to generate the results. My advice is to go early if you book a morning slot, as the test center gets crowded around noon and you might get stuck in the waiting area. Bringing a power bank is practical—you can watch videos to kill time while waiting.

[SophieLee]

Experience from coaching hundreds of students tells me that the actual driving test for Subject 2 takes about ten minutes, but you should allow three hours for the entire process to be safe. Arrive at 8 a.m. for security check and registration when it's less crowded and faster; after 9:30, the line starts winding around the hall. The exam car system queues up quickly, but the actual driving time is short: one and a half minutes for reverse parking, and two to three minutes for each of the other four items. The key is not to leave in a hurry after the test—until the score sheet comes out, it's considered incomplete. I've seen students who thought they failed and went home directly, only to miss passing. It's best to avoid scheduling the test on busy Mondays.

[DelMadeline]

While working as a guide at the driving test center, I observed that the actual test time for Subject 2 is typically controlled within 6-12 minutes per person. However, the system calls candidates in batches, and equipment maintenance can cause further delays. Last Tuesday, a candidate who checked in at 8 AM didn't get into the car until 10 AM and finished the test by 10:30 AM. The afternoon session takes even longer, with long queues often forming by 2 PM for a 4 PM test. It's advisable to bring a bottle of water and a folding stool, as the waiting hall seats are insufficient. Now that it's hot, remember to wear light clothing since the test cars don't have air conditioning.

[Carrie]

Sharing a tip with my fellow test-takers: The actual time spent in the car for Subject 2 is really short. Last month during my test, I finished parallel parking in just 50 seconds. But the whole process, including waiting, takes at least two and a half hours. I had an afternoon slot, arrived at the test center at 2 PM, and spent forty minutes just queuing for temperature checks. The most unexpected part was the facial recognition photo before the test—the system froze and wasted a solid ten minutes. I recommend bringing some snacks; low blood sugar can affect your performance on the S-curve. And don’t make my mistake of wearing new shoes—my ankles ached from pressing the clutch.