How Long Should You Practice for Subject 3 Before Taking the Test?

[McAlaina]

Generally speaking, 7 days of practice is sufficient before taking the test. Subject 3 test content includes: vehicle preparation, simulated lighting test, starting, driving in a straight line, gear shifting operations, changing lanes, pulling over, going straight through intersections, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, passing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting oncoming vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, nighttime driving, and safety and civilized driving knowledge test. Key challenges in Subject 3 test: Pay attention to the mistakes of high gear at low speed and low gear at high speed during the test. Before shifting gears, ensure the speed matches the gear, then shift. While driving, glance at the speedometer every 8 seconds to prevent such errors.

[DiHazel]

I'm a driving instructor, and this is a very practical question. The practice time for Subject 3 varies from person to person, depending largely on individual driving sense and dedication. Among the students I've coached, the quick ones can meet the standards in 5-7 days with about 2 hours of practice daily, while slower learners might need over half a month. Students with a good foundation grasp gear shifting timing and road condition judgment more easily, but those with poor hand-foot coordination need more practice on gear shifting. I recommend noting down your common mistakes after each session—for example, if you often cross the line during roadside parking, focus on that next time. The current test requirements are stricter, so don’t cut corners on practice to save time. Last week, a student who only practiced for 8 hours failed immediately for forgetting to use the turn signal.

[EmiliaRose]

As someone who just passed the driving test (Subject 3), I practiced for a full 12 days. For the first three days, I couldn't even drive straight—my instructor scolded me for having poor spatial awareness. Later, I switched to practicing at dawn when there were fewer cars, which helped me focus on lane changes. Remember to give yourself time to digest what you've learned; after practicing during the day, I reviewed by drawing route maps at night. My friend practiced in the suburbs where there were no traffic lights and passed in just 7 days. Meanwhile, I practiced downtown with daily traffic jams, so it took me extra days to adapt to complex road conditions. It's best to practice until you can pass three consecutive mock tests without any deductions before signing up for the real exam, as nervousness during the test can lead to silly mistakes.

[SerenityLee]

My driving coach requires at least 24 training hours before scheduling the test. My palms were sweaty the first time I touched the steering wheel, and it wasn't until the fifth session that I dared to step on the gas to overtake. I recommend practicing in stages: focus on starting and stopping for the first 8 hours, then practice shifting gears and driving straight in the middle phase, and finally work on details like checking mirrors before lane changes—failing to do so can result in failing the test. The driving school mandates a minimum of 300 kilometers of practice; I still didn't feel ready for the test after 210 kilometers. In the days leading up to the exam, prioritize memorizing the examiner's instructions and landmarks along the test route.