How Many Days in Advance to Book a Driving Test Appointment?

[Claire]

Book approximately one week in advance. Below is the relevant information: Driver's Test: The driver's test (motor vehicle driver's test) is a qualification examination organized by the Vehicle Management Office of the Public Security Bureau. Only by passing the driver's test can one obtain a driver's license and legally operate motor vehicles. Test Content: The motor vehicle driver's test is divided into the following sections: the examination on laws, regulations, and related knowledge of road traffic safety (also known as the "theoretical test," hereinafter referred to as "Subject One"), the field driving skills test (commonly known as the "parking test," hereinafter referred to as "Subject Two"), and the road driving skills and safe, civilized driving common sense test (commonly known as the "road test," hereinafter referred to as "Subject Three"). The test content and passing standards are uniform nationwide, with corresponding test items specified according to different types of permitted driving licenses.

[DelLyla]

When I was getting my driver's license, I noticed that the booking time varies by region and test type. Typically, you can book the theory test 5 to 7 days in advance, but for the road test, you might need to book 10 days or even two weeks ahead. In big cities, there are more test centers, but they're also crowded. During peak seasons like summer vacation, slots are tight, and if you wait until three days before the test, you're basically out of luck. I recommend downloading the Traffic Management 12123 app to check for available slots regularly or asking your driving school for help to arrange things more conveniently. Don’t forget to check the weather on the test day—if there’s heavy rain and the test gets postponed, you’ll have to reschedule. Leave some buffer time to review the subject materials so you don’t end up cramming last minute and losing points. My personal advice is to plan ahead and avoid risks—safety first.

[SanGenevieve]

Based on my experience helping friends and family with driver's license appointments, booking 8 to 10 days in advance is generally safe, especially in popular cities like Beijing and Shanghai where slots fill up quickly. During summer when students flood the system, grab any available slots shown on the app immediately. It's best to set reminders aligned with your work schedule—I personally check available dates for the upcoming week every Monday to avoid conflicts. Remember to bring your original ID and medical report to the appointment to prevent oversights. Early booking allows more focused preparation, avoids costly retakes, and makes the overall process smoother.

[EmmanuelAnn]

I just got my driver's license last month. When scheduling the road test, I noticed that the APP suggested booking a week in advance for reliability, but some slots were still available even if you signed up just two or three days ahead. Weekend test slots get snatched up quickly, so I chose a weekday morning when there's more availability. Before booking, make sure your training progress is on track—don't rush into it blindly. Downloading the APP to refresh and check slot availability in real-time is very convenient. Acting early saves you from last-minute stress, and a few more practice drives will boost your confidence.