How Many Attempts Are Allowed for Subject One Exam?
2 Answers
There is no limit to the number of retakes for Subject One. According to Article 10 of the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses', candidates can take the Subject One retest twice on the same day. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, the second retake is free of charge. However, if the second attempt also fails, the Subject One exam is terminated for that session, and the candidate must wait ten days before rescheduling. Subject One, 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 fundamental driving theory, road safety laws and regulations, local ordinances, and related knowledge. The test is conducted on a computer with a time limit of 45 minutes. A passing score for Subject One is 90 out of 100. The test consists of 100 questions, including single-choice and true/false questions, each worth 1 point. If a candidate answers 11 questions incorrectly during the exam, the system will automatically submit the test and end the session. Subject One test content includes: driver's license and motor vehicle management regulations; road traffic conditions and rules; traffic violations and penalties; traffic accident handling procedures; basic knowledge of motor vehicles; local regulations; knowledge of braking systems and safety devices for large and medium-sized buses and trucks; specialized knowledge for wheeled self-propelled machinery, trams, and trolleybuses. Exam precautions for Subject One: Candidates must dress appropriately (no slippers) and are prohibited from bringing electronic devices or bags into the exam room. They must bring 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 the exam room, candidates will be assigned a seat at the identity verification station. After finding their seat, they can begin the test. Ensure the camera is properly aligned and adhere to exam discipline. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, a same-day retake is allowed. If the retake also fails, the candidate must pay to reschedule. After completing the exam, queue to collect and sign the score report—unsigned reports are considered invalid. In contrast, Subject Two and Subject Three allow only five exam attempts each. Retakes for these subjects must be scheduled at least ten days later. If the Subject Three safety and civilized driving knowledge test is failed, the previously passed road driving skills test scores remain valid. The driving test consists of three subjects: Subject One, Subject Two, and Subject Three. Subject One assesses knowledge of traffic laws, regulations, and related theory. Subject Two evaluates field driving skills, while Subject Three is divided into two parts: road driving skills and safety & civilized driving knowledge. The safety and civilized driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject Three, so it is commonly referred to as Subject Four. However, the official terminology (as per Ministry of Public Security Order No. 123) does not include the term 'Subject Four.'
When I first started learning to drive, I was also worried about what to do if I didn’t pass the subject one test. After asking the driving school instructor, I learned that there’s no limit to the number of attempts—you can retake it as many times as you want as long as you pay and schedule, but each retake requires at least a 10-day interval, depending on the test center’s availability. I failed my first attempt due to nervousness and random guessing, but after waiting two weeks and retaking it, I passed by practicing more with the app’s question bank. A friend of mine took three tries to pass, each time having to pay the fee again, which added up to quite an expense. My advice to beginners is not to fear failure—try a few mock tests in advance and familiarize yourself with the traffic rules to save both time and money. Although retakes are unlimited, they waste time and energy, so it’s best to pass on the first try and move on to subject two.
