How many chances are there for the second attempt at Subject 2 of the driving test?
3 Answers
For the Subject 2 test, if a candidate fails the first attempt, they are allowed one retest. If the candidate does not take the retest or fails the retest, the current test session ends, and the applicant must reschedule the test after ten days. Within the validity period of the driving skill test permit, the number of rescheduling attempts for Subject 2 and Subject 3 (road driving skills test) cannot exceed five. If the fifth attempt still results in a failure, the passing scores of other subjects already taken will be invalidated. The full score for Subject 2 is 100 points, with evaluation criteria set for failure, deduction of 20 points, 10 points, and 5 points. The test is considered passed if the following conditions are met: ① For applicants of large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, and large trucks, a score of 90 or above is required; ② For other vehicle types, a score of 80 or above is required. For large vehicles (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2), the test items include: pole test, hill start and stop, parallel parking, single-plank bridge crossing, curve driving, right-angle turn, narrow gate passing, continuous obstacle passing, bumpy road driving, narrow road U-turn, and simulations for highways, continuous sharp turns on mountain roads, tunnels, rain (fog) conditions, slippery roads, and emergency handling. For small vehicles (C1, C2), the test items include: reverse parking, parallel parking, hill start and stop (canceled for C2), right-angle turn, curve driving (commonly known as S-turn) as the five mandatory items (some regions include a sixth item: highway toll card collection).
The second attempt in Subject 2 is essentially a fresh opportunity itself. If you fail the first time, this retake represents a new chance to try. But don't worry, the overall exam rules allow unlimited retakes, so you can simply schedule the next attempt. Typically, you'll need to wait about 10 days after failing before you can book again, with retake fees possibly costing a few hundred yuan depending on the driving school's policy. I've heard many people struggle with parallel parking or hill starts – it's advisable to practice more at the test site beforehand to familiarize yourself with the markings and the examiner's rhythm. Keep calm and don't let nerves affect your performance, as these adjustments can significantly improve success rates. Failing once is completely normal; the key is identifying issues through persistent practice.
The second attempt at Subject 2 represents a specific opportunity, which is the actual test session you attend. However, the driver's license system is quite user-friendly, allowing you to retake the test an unlimited number of times, so failing this time doesn't mean the end. There are interval requirements for scheduling each retake, typically 10-15 days later, depending on local DMV policies. Financially, you'll need to budget around 200 to 300 RMB per attempt, but I recommend not stressing over the cost—focus your energy on practice instead. Common failure points include parallel parking or stalling the engine, so repeat these operations until you're proficient. From my experience with many trainees, most pass after two or three tries—the key is to seek more guidance from your instructor.
