How many seconds after stalling in Subject 3 is considered a failure?
3 Answers
As long as the vehicle stalls, it is considered stalling regardless of the duration. If the engine stalls due to improper operation, 10 points will be deducted once. However, no further mistakes can be made in the subsequent operation process; otherwise, the test will not be passed, and a retake will be required. Relevant information: 1. Main reason: Lifting the clutch too quickly when starting. If the clutch is lifted too quickly, the engine's output power and the transmission input shaft's power are not proportional, causing a sudden increase in friction, which leads to stalling. 2. Difficulties in Subject 3 test: Mismatch between speed and gear, deviation in straight-line driving, and parking more than 30cm away from the curb.
A couple of days ago, I accompanied a relative practicing for the Subject 3 driving test and heard the instructor emphasize this point. Stalling during the exam doesn’t immediately result in failure—restarting the engine within 3 seconds won’t incur any penalty. The key is to act swiftly and decisively: fully depress the clutch, shift to neutral, and ignite the engine in one smooth motion. However, remember that stalling twice leads to an automatic fail, while the first stall only deducts 10 points. I’ve seen students freeze in panic after stalling, staring at the dashboard for over 5 seconds before reacting, which resulted in an immediate failure. The most frustrating case was a guy who forgot to shift to neutral before restarting, causing the car to lurch forward and fail instantly. My advice: practice timing with your phone during training to build muscle memory for restarting within 3 seconds.
Last month, I personally experienced a stall during my third driving test. I started too quickly at a red light, the car shook twice and then stalled, with the dashboard showing about 1 second passing. I immediately pressed the clutch, shifted to neutral, and turned the key—the whole process took just over 2 seconds, and the system didn’t fail me. The examiner later told me the test system has a precise timer: if the engine remains completely off for more than 3 seconds before restarting, it’s a fail. The key is not to panic—never pull the handbrake or unfasten the seatbelt. I saw another test-taker instinctively open the door after stalling, wanting to restart, which was a real shame. Remember, as long as you don’t leave your seat, you still have a chance if you recover within 3 seconds.
