How Many Points Are Deducted for Looking Down at the Gear Shift?
3 Answers
In principle, if your line of sight deviates from the direction of travel for more than 2 seconds, 100 points will be deducted. However, the specific deduction may vary depending on the examiner in different regions. Below is the relevant introduction: Introduction: Subject 3 includes the road driving skills test and the safety and civilized driving knowledge test, which are part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. It is the abbreviation for the road driving skills and safety and civilized driving knowledge test subjects in the motor vehicle driver's examination. The content of the road driving skills test varies for different types of driving licenses. Test Subjects: The road driving skills test for Subject 3 generally includes: vehicle preparation, light simulation test, starting, driving in a straight line, gear shifting operations, changing lanes, parking by the roadside, driving straight through intersections, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, crossing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and nighttime driving.
As a long-time driver, I have to say that looking down at the gear shift is a critical mistake in driving tests. I remember when I was learning to drive, my instructor repeatedly emphasized keeping my eyes on the road—any glance away would cost points. In the third part of the driving test, glancing down at the gear shift costs you 10 points—yes, you heard that right. With a perfect score of 100 and a passing grade of 90, that one mistake can make or break you. Why so strict? Because in real driving, that split second you look down could mean missing a pedestrian, traffic signal, or sudden braking by the car ahead—extremely high risk. I've seen many trainees who practiced well but failed the test because of this. My advice: before the test, simulate real driving as much as possible, memorize the gear positions, and build muscle memory so your hand knows where to go without looking. And don’t make it a habit in daily driving—safety first. With so many cars and people on the road now, even a small mistake can lead to trouble.
Driving safety should always be the top priority, and habits like looking down at the gear shift must never be overlooked. During driving tests, examiners will deduct 10 points immediately for this behavior as it violates basic safety principles. Just think—taking your eyes off the road for even half a second could lead to loss of control at high speeds. Having driven urban roads for years, I know firsthand the risks of looking down to shift gears—it’s like walking blindfolded and tripping easily. The test is no joke; a 10-point deduction may seem minor, but it can add up and lead to failure. More importantly, this habit is dangerous in real life—my friend once sideswiped a guardrail because of it. The solution is to practice blind operation: sit in the car and repeatedly shift gears without looking, training your muscle memory. Once you develop this good habit, passing the test becomes effortless, and daily driving feels much safer.
