How long must one wait to retake the exam after failing Subject 1?
2 Answers
You must wait 10 days before scheduling a retake. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," candidates can take the Subject 1 make-up exam twice on the same day. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, a second free retake is allowed. If the second attempt also fails, the Subject 1 exam is terminated. Subject 1, also known as the theoretical driving test or driver's theory exam, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. The exam covers driving theory basics, road safety laws and regulations, local traffic rules, and related knowledge. It is conducted as a computer-based test with a time limit of 45 minutes. A passing score for Subject 1 is 90 out of 100, with the test consisting of 100 questions, including single-choice and true/false questions, each worth 1 point. If 11 questions are answered incorrectly, the system will automatically submit the test and end the exam. Subject 1 test content includes: driver's license and motor vehicle management regulations; road traffic conditions and rules; traffic safety violations and penalties; road traffic accident handling regulations; basic knowledge of motor vehicles; local regulations; knowledge of braking systems and safety devices for large and medium-sized passenger and freight vehicles; specialized knowledge for wheeled self-propelled machinery, trams, and trolleybuses. Subject 1 exam precautions: Candidates should dress appropriately (no slippers), avoid bringing electronic devices or bags into the exam room, carry their ID card, and queue to enter the waiting hall. Observe the instructions and procedures displayed on the screen, and store personal belongings in lockers before entering the exam room. Upon entering, verify your identity at the assigned station, locate your seat, and begin the exam. Ensure the camera is properly aligned and follow exam discipline. If you fail the first attempt, a same-day retake is allowed. If you fail again, you must pay to reschedule. After the exam, queue to collect your score report and sign it; unsigned reports are invalid. There is no limit to the number of times you can schedule the Subject 1 exam. Each subject allows one exam attempt and one retake if the first attempt fails. If you skip the retake or fail it, the exam is terminated, and you must reschedule. For Subject 2 and Subject 3, only five exam attempts are allowed, and rescheduling must occur after 10 days. If you fail the Subject 3 safe driving knowledge test, your previously passed road driving skills test results remain valid. The driving test consists of three subjects: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 refers to the traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge exam. Subject 2 refers to the field driving skills test. Subject 3 is divided into two parts: road driving skills and safe driving knowledge. The safe driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3, so it is commonly referred to as Subject 4, though this term is not officially recognized in regulations (e.g., the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123).
Failing the subject one test can be frustrating, but I'm familiar with the process. According to regulations, you can schedule a retake immediately on the same day, but the system enforces a minimum 10-day waiting period. For example, if you failed last Wednesday, the earliest available slot would be next Tuesday. These ten days are crucial—I recommend using the 'Driving Test Prep' app to review your wrong answers at least three times, then aim for over 95% in mock exams before retaking. Some rush into consecutive tests and end up failing all five attempts, when in fact this interval is the golden time to identify and fix weaknesses. Also note: available dates shown on the 12123 APP depend on test center capacity—smaller cities may require two weeks' wait, while big cities often have faster openings.
