How Many Chances Are There for a Subject 1 Retake?

[DiMiles]

For the Subject 1 exam, there is one retake opportunity each time, but there is no limit to the number of times you can schedule the Subject 1 exam. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," on the day of the Subject 1 retake, you can take the exam twice. If you fail the first attempt, you can take a free second retake. If you still fail the second attempt, the Subject 1 exam for this session is terminated, and you can only schedule the exam again after ten days. Subject 1, also known as the Subject 1 theory exam or driver theory exam, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. The exam content includes theoretical foundations of driving, road safety laws and regulations, local regulations, and related knowledge. The exam format is computer-based, with a time limit of 45 minutes. To pass the Subject 1 exam, you need a score of 90 or above. The exam consists of 100 questions, including single-choice and true/false questions, with each question worth 1 point, totaling 100 points. If you answer 11 questions incorrectly during the exam, the system will automatically submit the test and end the exam. Subject 1 exam content includes: driver's license and motor vehicle management regulations; road traffic conditions and regulations; road 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: During the exam, students should pay attention to their attire—no slippers are allowed. Electronic devices and bags are not permitted in the exam room. Bring your ID card and line up to enter the waiting hall. Observe the precautions and procedures on the large screen, and store personal items in a locker before entering the exam room. Inside the exam room, the identity verification station will assign a seat. Once seated, begin the exam, ensuring the camera is aligned with you and adhering to exam discipline. If you fail the first attempt, there is a same-day retake. If you fail again, you must pay to reschedule the exam. After completion, line up to collect your score report and sign it. Failure to sign will render the exam invalid. There is no limit to the number of times you can schedule the Subject 1 exam. For each exam, if you fail, you can retake it once. If you do not attend the retake or fail the retake, the exam for this session is terminated, and the applicant must reschedule the exam. For Subject 2 and Subject 3, there are only five exam attempts. Subject 2 and Subject 3 exams can be scheduled ten days later. If you fail the Subject 3 safe driving knowledge test, the previously passed road driving skills test scores remain valid. There are three subjects in the driver's license exam: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 refers to the road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge exam. Subject 2 refers to the field driving skills exam. 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. However, in official terms (i.e., the Ministry of Public Security Order No. 123), there is no such thing as Subject 4.

[Venus]

When I was preparing for my driver's license test, I failed the first attempt at the written exam (Subject 1) and was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Later, I learned that there are no limits on retakes—you can take it as many times as you want—but each time requires re-registration and an additional fee of over 100 yuan for the exam. I remember back then, a friend of mine failed five times in a row without any issues. The key is to stay calm, stop guessing answers randomly, and instead repeatedly practice with the "Driving Test Guide" app. Dragging it out too long can affect your overall progress, so it's best to get it done within a month. Subject 1 is just theory—memorize it a few times, and passing becomes easier. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. In short, there are plenty of opportunities, don’t waste your money, and just practice properly.

[VanHayden]

Last year when my son took the first driving theory test, he failed twice in a row. At that time, I was worried about running out of attempts, but later I asked his instructor and felt relieved. There's actually no limit to the number of retakes, though you have to wait about a week between each attempt, with a fee of around 150 yuan. I advised him not to rush into retaking it immediately—it's better to analyze the mistakes from the previous test and use the 'Driving Test Master' app for mock exams. If it drags on too long, going to the test center in winter can be freezing, so remember to bring a cup of hot tea to stay alert. Mentally, treat it as a minor thing and don't stress—young people tend to panic and answer randomly when they're anxious. Getting a driver's license is about safety, so it's important to memorize the theoretical knowledge well. Taking a few extra retakes isn't bad—consider it as review to reinforce your memory.

[MacValeria]

I had to retake the written driving test once, and the rules were straightforward: unlimited attempts, but each time required a new application, a fee of around a hundred yuan, and a few days of waiting in line. Before retaking the test, it's advisable to review your mistake notebook—don't just rely on luck. The longer you delay, the easier it is to forget the details, so it's best to get it done within two weeks. Remember, most of the questions are fixed, so practicing a few mock tests will set you up for success.

[McAnna]

I also failed the subject one test when learning to drive. Although the retake opportunities are unlimited, the cost is significant: paying fees each time and wasting time traveling to and from the test center. An efficient approach is to summarize the types of mistakes frequently made, such as confusing traffic signs, and take notes. Don’t just rush into retakes—wait until your mind is calm before registering again, and don’t let anxiety affect your performance. During the actual test, staying relaxed helps you answer more accurately.

[SawyerRose]

I passed the driving theory test on my third attempt back then, and realized that retakes are endless—you can take them as many times as needed. The only hassle is the cost, 200 bucks each time, plus it eats up your weekends. A bit of fun: chatting with different people during each retake was surprisingly stress-relieving. Don’t worry about the number of attempts—just focus on practicing with question bank apps and memorizing the rules. Passing will come easily once you’ve got those down.